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Published on: June 3, 2013
On the relation between 2D:4D and sex-dimorphic personality traits
Elizabeth Hampson1, Connie L Ellis, Christine M Tenk
1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. ehampson@uwo.ca
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|December 14, 2007
Summary
The 2D:4D digit ratio, a marker of prenatal androgen activity, weakly predicts aggressiveness and sensation seeking in both sexes. Lower ratios correlated with higher aggression and sensation-seeking behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Human Biology
Background:
- Prenatal androgen exposure is theorized to influence personality traits like aggressiveness and sensation seeking.
- Empirical evidence linking prenatal androgens to these traits is limited.
- The 2D:4D digit ratio is a proposed marker for prenatal androgen activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the 2D:4D digit ratio and individual differences in aggressiveness, sensation seeking, and prosocial personality traits.
- To determine if the 2D:4D ratio can predict variations in these personality measures.
- To explore sex-dependent associations between digit ratio and personality.
Main Methods:
- 164 undergraduates (87 men, 77 women) completed self-report measures for aggression, sensation seeking, and prosocial traits (empathy, nurturance, expressivity, instrumentality, assertiveness).
- Two sex-dimorphic spatial ability tests were administered.
- The 2D:4D digit ratio was measured and analyzed for correlations with personality and spatial ability scores.
Main Results:
- A significant sex difference in 2D:4D ratio was observed (men had lower ratios).
- The 2D:4D ratio significantly predicted aggression and sensation-seeking scores in the overall sample and in women, with lower ratios associated with higher scores.
- In men, 2D:4D was linked to total sensation-seeking and verbal aggression; no association was found with spatial ability in either sex.
Conclusions:
- The 2D:4D digit ratio may serve as a weak, sex-dependent predictor of traits sensitive to testosterone, such as aggressiveness and sensation seeking.
- Findings suggest a potential biological basis for certain personality differences influenced by prenatal hormone exposure.
- The 2D:4D ratio's predictive power for spatial abilities was not supported in this study.
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