FINGER MAY POINT TO MALE AGGRESSION
FRIDAY - MARCH 25 - Health Day News - Canadian researchers say they've found a way to help "finger" men with physically aggressive personalities. A University of Alberta study finds that measuring a man's index finger length relative to his ring finger length predicts his predisposition to being physically aggressive. The shorter the index finger relative to the ring finger, the higher the amount of prenatal testosterone and the more likely the man will be physically aggressive, the researchers say. In a prepared statement, study co-author Dr. Peter Hurd admitted he initally thought the finger-aggression link was "a pile of hooey," until he reviewed the data.
According to the researchers, experts have known for a hundred years that the index-to-ring finger length ratio of men differs considerably from that seen in women. And, more recently, research has suggested that the length of men's fingers changes depending on their exposure to testosterone in the womb. Now, finger length and physical aggression seem to be linked as well, as least in men. The Alberta team found no such link in women.
"More than anything, I think the findings reinforce and underlie that a large part of our personalities and our traits are determined while we're still in the womb," Hurd said.
The study, reported in the March issue of Biological Psychology, found no correlation between finger lengths and non-physical forms of aggression, such as verbal aggression or angry or hostile behavior. Hurd said he is continuing his researach on physical aggression, however, by comparing hockey players' finger lengths to the number of penalty minutes they rack up in a given season.
In another study, to be publishesd later this year, Hurd found that men with more "feminine" finger ratios tend to be more prone to depression.
copyright 2004 ScoutNews,LLC.
Analysis of President Obamas Hand:
Analysis of President Obamas Thumb: The thumb of President Obama shows extraordinary character led by intellect. Also a love of history and an appreciation of lessons learned from the past. Determination, reason and compassion in large amounts
are present. All of these factors point to the strong moral force of this man.