Ever wondered why you are so good with words yet so hopeless with numbers? The answer may lie in the length of your fingers, new research suggests.
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Children’s academic strengths and the results of numeracy and literacy tests can be predicted just by measuring the length of their fingers, claim scientists.
Researchers compared the finger lengths of 75 children with their Standardised Assessment Test (SAT) scores and found a clear link between a child’s mental dexterity and the relative lengths of their index (pointing) and ring fingers.
Children with shorter ring fingers than their index fingers performed better in literacy tests compared to maths, while those with longer ring fingers were better at maths than literacy. The study was carried out by scientists at the University of Bath and the results will be published in the British Journal of Psychology.
The research team believe that the link is caused by different levels of the hormones testosterone and oestrogen in the womb and the impact this has on both the development of the brain and the growth of fingers.
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Dr Mark Brosnan, Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, said: “Testosterone has been argued to promote development of the areas of the brain which are often associated with spatial and mathematical skills.
“Oestrogen is thought to do the same in the areas of the brain which are often associated with verbal ability. Interestingly, these hormones are also thought to have a say in the relative lengths of our index and ring fingers.
“We can use measurements of these fingers as a way of gauging the relative exposure to these two hormones in the womb and as we have shown through this study, we can also use them to predict ability in the key areas of numeracy and literacy.”
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The Bath researchers made photocopies of the palm of the children’s hands and then measured the length of their index finger and ring finger on both hands. They then divided the length of the index finger by that of the ring finger to calculate the child’s ‘digit ratio’.
When they compared this ratio to the children’s SAT results, they discovered that a smaller ratio (a longer ring finger and higher exposure to testosterone in the womb) meant the child would be more proficient at maths than literacy.
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The scientists therefore believe that finger length could help to predict how well children will do in these two subjects. “We’re not suggesting that finger length measurements could replace SAT tests,” continues Dr Brosnan.”
“Finger ratio provides us with an interesting insight into our innate abilities in cognitive areas. We are also looking at how digit ratio relates to other behavioural issues and career paths. There is also interest in using digit ratio to identify developmental disorders, such as dyslexia.”
In the past, finger length has also been linked to a number of personality traits. In September of last year a team of researchers from King’s College London announced that finger length could be a simple way to tell if a woman has the potential to excel at sport. The scientists claimed that a woman whose ring finger is longer than their index finger is more likely to achieve a higher level at sport.
Elsewhere, the length of a man’s fingers could reveal how physically aggressive he is, Canadian scientists said. The shorter the index finger is compared to the ring finger, the more aggressive, University of Alberta researchers claimed.
Scientists at Liverpool University believe the length of a boy’s finger could provide a clue as to whether he will be at risk of a heart attack in early adulthood. Boys with a shorter ring finger are thought to be at a greater risk.
Finally, a controversial study carried out at University of California of Berkeley suggested that finger length could be an indication of sexual orientation.
By Ross Chainey, Health & Wellbeing Editor - Feedback - Discuss - Blog
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