No association between developmental instability as a general measure of stress and2D:4Ddigit ratios in a non‐western sample

Abstract

Random deviation from perfect symmetry of organisms is defined as fluctuating asymmetry. Fluctuating asymmetry is widely considered to be a marker of developmental instability, developmental noise and phenotypic quality at the population level. In this study, we investigated hypothesized relationship between 2D:4D digit ratios as a proxy measure of prenatal sex hormones and developmental instability levels in young adult humans. Materials and Methods:In the study, seven bilateral traits were measured for fluctuating asymmetry, as well as second and fourth digit lengths on both hands of 185 individuals, 87 men (mean age: 22.42 ± 3.37) and 97 women (mean age: 22.88 ± 3.87). The second digit length was divided by the fourth digit length and the resulting value was used as the digit ratio (2D:4D). Composite fluctuating asymmetry was calculated using five bilateral traits displaying fluctuating asymmetry.Results: Only the right hand 2D:4D ratio is lower in men than in women. However, this difference disappears when the effect of digit lengths is controlled. Composite fluctuating asymmetry results reveal that men are more asymmetrical than women. There was no significant relationship between digit ratios and composite fluctuating asymmetry. Conclusion:In this study, the 2D:4D digit ratios appear to be influenced (at least in humans) by different digit lengths. This study also confirms previous studies that digit ratios as a proxy measure of exposure to either high testosterone or estrogen levels during early development does not appear to affect levels of developmental instability.

Association of 2D:4D finger length ratio of People Working in different professions with personality traits

“…There are many studies investigating differences in physiological, psychological, and behavioral characteristics of individuals according to the 2D–4D finger ratio [ 58 , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] ]. In their study, Karacaoğlu and Acar reported that prenatal sex hormones were correlated with both personality traits and the length ratios of the index and ring (2D–4D) fingers [ 6 ].…”