Digit ratio (2D:4D) moderates the impact of sexual cues on men's decisions in ultimatum games.
Three experimental studies demonstrate that 'sex-related cues' impact human decision-making in ultimatum games. In the ultimatum game, two individuals divide a sum of money. The proposer offers a portion of the money to the other player, the responder. If the responder accepts the offer, the money is distributed in agreement with the proposer's offer. If the responder rejects the offer, neither player receives anything. Our studies show that exposure to pictures of sexy women or lingerie increases the likelihood of accepting unfair offers. Digit ratios of responders are reliably associated with their behaviour: males with lower digit ratios are more likely to reject an unfair split in neutral contexts, but more likely to accept unfair offers in sex-related contexts.
Van den Bergh
Bram
B
Faculty of Economics and Applied Economics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 69, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. bram.vandenbergh@econ.kuleuven.be
Dewitte
Siegfried
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003463:Cues; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005717:Games, Experimental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*