Attractiveness and finger lengths

Published on

The relative length of the second (index) and fourth (ring) fingers, also called 2D:4D ratio, has been shown to be an indicator of prenatal exposure or sensitivity to testosterone in humans. As a consequence, 2D:4D ratio is correlated with a number of testosterone-related physical and behavioural characteristics. In [a recent study->, http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/04/19/rspb.2011.0544.abstract] published in the {Proceedings of the Royal Society-B}, Jean-François Lemaitre (LBBE) and his colleagues showed that men with more masculine (lower) 2D:4D have more symmetrical faces, and were judged more facially attractive by women. However there was no link between 2D:4D ratio and body odour or voice attractiveness, suggesting that these features might be less influenced by prenatal testosterone than faces.

Media coverage:

[CBS News->http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/20/scitech/main20055932.shtml]

[The Telegraph->http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8461298/Male-finger-lengths-related-to-attractiveness.html]

[The Daily Telegraph->
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/attractive-men-have-long-ring-fingers/story-e6freuyi-1226042390887]

[Herald Sun->http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/attractive-men-have-long-ring-fingers/story-e6frf7jx-1226042390887]

[Le Parisien->http://www.leparisien.fr/laparisienne/sante/les-hommes-les-plus-sexy-auraient-de-longs-annulaires-21-04-2011-1418685.php]

[Le Nouvel Observateur->http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualite/societe/20110420.OBS1642/un-long-annulaire-synonyme-de-partenaires-multiples.html]

[Radio Canada->http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/science/2011/04/20/002-annulaire-homme-attirance.shtml]