title: Finger lengths, 2D:4D ratios, and their relation to gender-related personality traits and the Big Five.
abstract: Finger lengths and the ratio of index finger to ring finger length (2D:4D) may be markers of gonadal hormone exposure. The current study investigated possible associations between absolute finger lengths, 2D:4D ratios, and gender-related personality traits in over 2000 participants. Regression analyses showed no associations between men's 2D:4D ratios and gender-related personality traits and weak associations between women's 2D:4D ratios and gender-related occupational preferences. Men's absolute finger lengths were weakly associated with self-ascribed masculinity, and women's absolute finger lengths were weakly associated with masculine occupational preferences. Big Five personality traits were assessed in a subsample of over 1000 participants. Analyses showed a weak positive association between 2D:4D and extraversion and a weak negative association between 2D:4D and openness to experience. Absolute finger lengths showed a weak negative association with agreeableness and a tendency to be associated with women's but not men's openness. Overall, associations between finger-length measures and personality were weak and inconsistent.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA. rlippa@fullerton.edu
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lippa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001242:Assertiveness; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires