Male aggression related to index finger length


Previous studies have discovered that finger length in men is directly correlated to the amount of male sex hormone testosterone they were exposed to in the womb. A new study just released from University of Alberta reveals that men with longer ring fingers compared to their index fingers tend to be more physically aggressive.

Researchers say it has long been recognized that the length of the index finger relative to the ring finger differs between men and women. In women, the difference in the length of their ring finger relative to their index finger is small. Meanwhile, men tend to have a bigger length difference between the two fingers.

A number of scientists have performed research in this area and have tied some aspect of behavior and central nervous system development to the amount of testosterone baby boys are exposed to in the uterus, which also influences finger length.

Canadian professor of psychology Dr. Peter Hurd and his graduate assistant Allison Bailey measured the fingers of 300 male and female undergraduates at the University of Alberta. The results of their study will appear in the March issue of Biological Psychology.

Their results showed that men had smaller finger length ratios than women. In addition, the shorter the index finger was relative to the ring finger, the more likely the male students scored higher on scales of physical aggression. However, they found no correlation between finger lengths and people who are prone to exhibit verbally aggressive, angry, or hostile behaviors.

The study's findings did not apply to women. Generally speaking, women's index and ring fingers are almost equal in length, because they're exposed to less testosterone in the womb.

However, Hurd says finger lengths only, "explain about five percent of the variation in these personality measures, so research like this won't allow you to draw conclusions about specific people."

In a press release, Hurd added, "For example, you wouldn't want to screen people for certain jobs based on their finger lengths, but finger length can tell you a little bit about where personality comes from, and that's what we are continuing to explore."

Although researchers say finger length only accounts for a small portion of the differences in men's aggressive behaviors, they explain that the results are consistent with previous studies that have linked men's finger length to the amount of testosterone a fetus is exposed to in the womb.

"More than anything, I think the findings reinforce and underline that a large part of our personalities and our traits are determined while we're still in the womb," said Hurd in a news release. Hurd also noted that both testosterone exposure and finger length may be influenced by a "deeper third variable."

Evolutionary biologist John Manning, at the University of Liverpool, has noted that heavier testosterone exposure may also affect development of the right side of the brain, which controls both visual and spatial judgment. Therefore, some researchers propose that ring-finger length may predict athletic prowess as opposed to aggression.

Manning observed that relatively longer fingers, especially in the ring finger, may indicate increased risk for depression in men, but not in women.

Hurd, on the other hand, plans to publish research suggesting that men having more feminine finger-length ratios are more prone to depression. Previous research has shown that men with smaller differences in the length of their ring and index fingers are at higher risk of autism and immune deficiency.

Hurd is conducting ongoing research in this area. He next plans to investigate whether there is any correlation between finger length and male hockey players' penalty records for contact and fouling during matches.


and here's what a woman said:

I am a woman whose third (ring) fingers are substantially longer than my index fingers, which indicates that I was exposed to more testosterone in the womb.

Although not aggressive (it says this finding doesn't relate to women), I am aware that I am not a "feminine" woman, in the stereotypical sense. When I was studying for my social work qualification, I remember doing an exercise which involved completing a questionnaire, then placing ourselves along a continuum line from most masculine to most feminine, according to our scores. I was not surprised to find myself about half the way along the male line!

Whilst I have many women friends, I also find it easy to get along with men, particularly the more "feminine men" - I read somewhere the "masculine women" and "feminine men" do get on well, possibly an area for further study? I do not get on at all with "macho" men.

I think my male characteristics are that I am assertive and direct (hate "small talk"), very logical and practical (down to earth), and I can read maps well(!). I wear no make-up usually, hate "dressing up", have a short, easy haircut and can't wear high heels (and don't want to), but I don't wear men's clothes or walk/move like a man.

Another study I read suggested that more women with the "male" finger lengths are lesbians, which I am not, though I would say I am heterosexual with "bi" tendencies.

Hope this has been of interest.



http://www.jhunewsletter....0918b95b06

I didn't read the whole thing, but I think it means that if a guy has big feet he's got a really big...




nevermind

Nothinbutjoy said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

And that the head of his penis can be measured by his nose---the bridge to the tip!

Reply to 'What do you think about this?'

I like to drive a car.

well this is going well.

SHANNA said:

brownsugar said:

lol.

i looked at my fingers and realized i have to trim my nails, so thank you for that!

man y'all suck!

**chewing fingernails**

whoa....I'm gonna start looking at fingers to determine who's a future wife beater and head for the hills whenever I see a longer ring finger.

brownsugar said:

I read it

AnckSuNamun said:

i also heard that women whose ring fingers are longer than their index finger have a tendency to be unfaithfull.

brownsugar said:

my ring finger is slightly longer than my index. that's crazy this really is interesting. I've noticed my finger lengths before, but didn't realize there were studies on them. whoa.

AnckSuNamun said:

mine is almost the same length as my middle finger.

Anx said:

that's a horrible habit I'm trying to quit

AnckSuNamun said:

ewww yall need to stop that!

brownsugar said:

my middle finger stands out from the rest of my fingers since it's so much longer than the rest. oh god, I feel deformed now

brownsugar said:

I can't help it

My ring finger is quite a bit longer than my index finger.

retina said:

but did you read the article

brownsugar said:

What article?

I saw a similar study on TV about finger length in relation to natural physical ability - they measured the finger lengths of top athletes. But I can't remember what the finding was

ring finger shorter than index finger here...
but now i will be checking out guys hands for sure!!

my ring and index fingers are exactly the same length.