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KMID : 0368820100490020210
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Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatr Association
2010 Volume.49 No. 2 p.210 ~ p.216
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The Relationship between 2nd Digit/4th Digit Ratio and Empathy, Aggression, and Sex Role in College Students
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Kim Hye-Jin
Lee Woo-Kyung
Kim Sun-O
Lee Sang-Baek
Park Jae-Woo
Lee Yu-Sang
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Abstract
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Objectives: The study investigated the role of prenatal testosterone on the development of sexually dimorphic psychological phenotype. Finger length ratio (2nd digit/ 4th digit, 2D/4D), especially on the right hand, is thought to be influenced by prenatal exposure to testosterone. We evaluated the relationship between 2D/4D and psychological characteristics in college students.
Methods: Participants were 137 college students who completed 3 self-report measures : the Emotional Empathy Scale, Aggression Scale, and Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). After copying right ventral surface of the participant’ s hand, we measured the lengths of the 2nd and 4th fingers, from basal crease to tip, using vernier calipers. We performed statistical analyses using correlation tests and t-tests to examine the relationship between 2D/4D and psychological characteristics (empathy, aggression, and sex role).
Results: We observed significant correlations between sex differences and average 2D/4D ratio. Men had a lower 2D/4D ratio than women, confirming the typical sex difference in digit proportions. In women, there was a significant correlation between 2D/4D ratio and empathy. Women with higher, more feminine, finger length ratios had higher empathy scores. We found no correlation between 2D/4D and aggression or sex role.
Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between 2D/4D and empathy, but in women only. Low prenatal testosterone might play important role in the development of an essential, typically feminine, psychological phenotype (empathy), in women.
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KEYWORD
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Finger length ratio, Aggression, Empathy, Sex role
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