Second to fourth digit ratio: A measure related to intelligence
Department
Psychological Science
Major
Psychology
Research Advisor
Bichsel, Jacqueline Michelle
Advisor's Department
Psychological Science
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
Androgens influence individual differences in a conventional way: They increase the masculinity of the individual. The ratio of the index finger length to ring finger length, otherwise known as 2D:4D, is a known reflection of prenatal androgen exposure. Smaller digit ratios can be inferred as higher prenatal androgen exposure, a more masculine trait, while larger digit ratios can be inferred as weaker prenatal androgen exposure, a more feminine trait. This ratio of digit lengths has been used to study the effects of prenatal androgenization on human cognition. I correlated this digit ratio with an intelligence measure in 19 men and women. I found a relation between 2D:4D and long-term memory (r = .28, p = .01). 2D:4D may be a beneficial tool in accounting for individual differences in intelligence.
Biography
Lauren is to graduate May 2011 with her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognitive Neuroscience. She also has successfully completed a minor in History at S&T. She is the current president of the Psychological Science department’s honor society, Psi Chi and also the president of the social, informational, and service organization PsyCo. She is concluding her second year as a Research Assistant in Dr. Bichsel’s Cognitive Studies Lab and hopes to continue research while she pursues a Masters in Experimental Psychology. Eventually, she hopes to obtain a doctorate in Psychology, with an emphasis in Evolutionary Psychology. This will be her second appearance at Missouri S&T’s Undergraduate Research Conference.
Research Category
Social Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Sciences oral presentation, Second place
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
06 Apr 2011, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Second to fourth digit ratio: A measure related to intelligence
Carver Room
Androgens influence individual differences in a conventional way: They increase the masculinity of the individual. The ratio of the index finger length to ring finger length, otherwise known as 2D:4D, is a known reflection of prenatal androgen exposure. Smaller digit ratios can be inferred as higher prenatal androgen exposure, a more masculine trait, while larger digit ratios can be inferred as weaker prenatal androgen exposure, a more feminine trait. This ratio of digit lengths has been used to study the effects of prenatal androgenization on human cognition. I correlated this digit ratio with an intelligence measure in 19 men and women. I found a relation between 2D:4D and long-term memory (r = .28, p = .01). 2D:4D may be a beneficial tool in accounting for individual differences in intelligence.
