Digit ratio (2D:4D) and hand preference for writing in the BBC Internet Study

Laterality. 2009 Sep;14(5):528-40. doi: 10.1080/13576500802637872. Epub 2009 Jan 28.

Abstract

The ratio of the length of the second to the fourth digit (2D:4D) may be negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone. Hand preference has been linked with prenatal testosterone and 2D:4D. Here we show that 2D:4D is associated with hand preference for writing in a large internet sample (n>170,000) in which participants self-reported their finger lengths. We replicated a significant association between right 2D:4D and writing hand preference (low right 2D:4D associated with left hand preference) as well as a significant correlation between writing hand preference and the difference between left and right 2D:4D or Dr-l (low Dr-l associated with left hand preference). A new significant correlation between left 2D:4D and writing hand preference was also shown (high left 2D:4D associated with left hand preference). There was a clear interaction between writing hand preference and 2D:4D: The left 2D:4D was significantly larger than the right 2D:4D in male and female left-handed writers, and the right hand 2D:4D was significantly larger than the left hand 2D:4D in male and female right-handed writers.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Weights and Measures / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Fingers / anatomy & histology*
  • Functional Laterality*
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Sex Characteristics
  • United Kingdom
  • Writing*