On the surface, a correlation between relative length of your ring and index fingers, and personality characteristics and health risk seems implausible. However, according to Pete Hurd, a neuroscientist at the University of Alberta, research has shown a link between a fetal “surge in testosterone in the middle of the second trimester” and future health and behavior.
The amount of testosterone exposure in this period of fetal development has an effect on the relative difference in the lengths of the index and ring fingers, which in turn influences future personality and risk of disease. According to Hurd, research has shown that a flood of testosterone results in a ring finger that is substantially longer than the index finger!
While the research doesn’t enable scientists to use this relative finger length into specific diagnoses, the amount of testosterone exposure prenatally can significantly affect a person’s future life. If a hormonal imbalance occurs during this stage of fetal development, it can alter your chances of developing certain diseases and is predictive of how easily you lose your temper!
Scientists continue to do research on how significant fetal hormonal changes may be affected by external factors, such as a mother’s stress level, her diet during pregnancy and environmental chemical exposure.
Measure your index and ring fingers, base to tip. (Most of the studies used the right hand.) Divide the length of your index finger by the length of your ring finger to determine the digit ratio, or finger quotient (Fq). A longer ring finger results in an Fq of less than 1 and a more “masculine” hand shape.
When Your finger quotient (Fq) is <1, it can be predictive of:
1. INCREASED VERBAL AGGRESSION: In both men and women with a shorter index finger.
2. HIGH ACHIEVEMENT AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS IN SPORTS (study of college varsity male and female athletes with shorter index fingers as a result of a higher surge of prenatal testosterone)
3. IMPROVED SENSE OF DIRECTION IN WOMEN WITH A MORE MASCULINE DIGIT RATIO (better spatial cognition)
4. MORE PHYSICAL AGGRESSION
5. LESS IMPULSE CONTROL
6. HIGHER RISK TAKING BEHAVIORS
The HEALTH ASPECTS that have been found to correlate with an INDEX FINGER SHORTER THAN OR EQUAL TO THE RING FINGER (Fq > 1) are:
1. ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEES
2. HIGHER RISK OF ORAL CANCER
3. LOWER RISK OF PROSTATE CANCER
Take the following FUN QUIZ and see if your results resonate with the science of finger length ratios and personality predictors. Let us know how accurate your analysis is.
