Digit ratio (2D : 4D) and prosocial behaviour in economic games: no direct correlation with generosity, bargaining or trust-related behaviours

Brañas–Garza, Pablo; Espín, Antonio M.; García-Muñoz, Teresa; Kovářík, Jaromír

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2019.0185

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Whilst similar correlations have been found previously [see, e.g., Brañas-Garza et al. (2019)], our correlation appears to be on the low side (e.g., Neyse et al. (2016) find correlations of 0.727 for men and 0.765 for women), however, other studies also find even lower correlations (e.g., Bönte et al.…”

supporting

confidence: 88%

The digit ratio (2D:4D) and economic preferences: no robust associations in a sample of 330 women

et al. 2019

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Many studies report on the association between 2D:4D, a putative marker for prenatal testosterone exposure, and economic preferences. However, most of these studies have limited sample sizes and test multiple hypotheses (without preregistration). In this study we mainly replicate the common specifications found in the literature for the association between the 2D:4D ratio and risk taking, the willingness to compete, and dictator game giving separately. In a sample of 330 women we find no robust associations between any of these economic preferences and 2D:4D. We find no evidence of a statistically significant relation for 16 of the 18 total regressions we run. The two regression specifications which are statistically significant have not previously been reported and the associations are not in the expected direction, and therefore they are unlikely to represent a real effect.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40881-019-00076-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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supporting

confidence: 88%

The digit ratio (2D:4D) and economic preferences: no robust associations in a sample of 330 women

et al. 2019

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“…Considering the fact that not only our, but also other studies do not support the hypothesis that the digit ratios are related to testosterone levels 28 , or even prenatal hormones 8,63,64 (but see also 65 ), it may seem surprising that the abundant body of literature provides evidence for the links between the 2D:4D and many adult characteristics, such as aggressiveness 66 , personality traits 30 , or substance and computer use 29 . What may seem even more confusing, is that some other, recent studies have reported the 2D:4D to be a non-significant predictor of other traits and behaviors, for instance: risk or pro-social behaviors 67,68 , risk taking 69 , grip strength 70 . One of the possible explanations of such discrepancies may be taking into account a size of an individual.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

No relationship between the digit ratios (2D:4D) and salivary testosterone change: Study on men under an acute exercise

Kowal

Sorokowski

Żelaźniewicz

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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The digit ratio (2D:4D) is said to be a potential marker of exposure to prenatal sex steroids. Some studies suggest that the 2D:4D is also linked with the testosterone response to challenging situations due to organizational effect of prenatal hormonal milieu on adult endocrine functioning. However, up to date, there were only four studies (conducted on small samples) that examined the 2D:4D and the testosterone response to a challenging situation (i.e. physical exertion or aggressive context). Here, we examined the relationship between the 2D:4D and the testosterone change under an acute exercise among 97 men. We found that the digit ratios (the right 2D:4D, the left 2D:4D, and the right minus left 2D:4D) were neither predictors of pre-exercise testosterone, nor the change in testosterone level after a cycling task. Our results add a contradictory to previous studies evidence in a discussion on the links of the 2D:4D and the testosterone change. More than 100 years ago, a difference in the length of the 2 nd , index finger (2D) and the 4 th , ring finger (4D) has been described 1. Further studies provided evidence that men and women vary when it comes to the magnitude of this difference 2. The ratio between the length of the 2 nd and the 4 th finger (2D:4D) has been reported to be smaller among men compared to women (men have longer the 4 th finger than the 2 nd finger) (but see also: 3,4). Since then, researchers have been interested in the origins and implications of the 2D:4D sexual dimorphism. Manning and colleagues 5 suggested that the difference between the 2D:4D among men and women develops during gestation under prenatal sex steroids control. The 2D:4D is said to be directly connected with the exposure to androgens in the uterus (with the lower digit ratios associated with the exposure to higher levels of testosterone, and higher digit ratios associated with the exposure to lower levels of testosterone). Hence, the 2D:4D is perceived as an index of prenatal testosterone level. However, correlational studies on the relationship between the 2D:4D and the prenatal testosterone level conducted on human fetuses brought conflicting results 6-11. Similar, mixed results have been found in experimental studies on animals 12,13 , thus, it is not surprising that such links are perceived as questionable and unclear 14-16. Even more speculative is that some researchers presume that the low 2D:4D may reflect higher adult testosterone 17-27. Interestingly, only a few studies reported a negative link between the 2D:4D and adult sex hormone levels 5,18-21,23 , whereas a meta-analysis conducted by Hönekopp et al. 28 and Zhang et al. 15 found no such association. Because there are many mixed findings on the mechanism of the observed differences in digit ratios 12-14,28 , and at the same time, there is a constantly growing body of literature showing positive associations between the 2D:4D and, for instance, psychological or physiological 29,30 characteristics, new hypotheses explaining the potential relationship between the...

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“…First, we note that the relationship between testosterone exposure and social preferences appears complex. Whereas Buser (2012) and Cecchi and Duchoslav (2018) report that public good game contributions are lower for L DR types (in line with the hypothesis that high-testosterone types are less cooperative), Brañas-Garza et al (2013) and Galizzi and Nieboer (2015) find that dictator game giving is significantly lower for those with H and L DR, compared to those with average DR. Brañas-Garza et al (2019) find no direct correlation between DR and dictator game giving, fairness or trust. In contrast, studies on risk taking present a more harmonious set of findings.…”

Section: Dr and Competitive Behaviormentioning

confidence: 64%

‘Born this Way’? Prenatal Exposure to Testosterone May Determine Behavior in Competition and Conflict

et al. 2019

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It is documented that fetal exposure to sexual hormones has long lasting effects on human behavior. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (DR) is a putative marker for prenatal exposure to testosterone (compared to estrogens) while in uterus, with higher relative exposure to testosterone resulting in a lower DR. Although the existing literature documents the correlation of DR with various decisions, and testosterone has been related to competitive behaviors, little research has studied the effect of DR on competition in conflict situations where skills do not matter. We investigate this question in the laboratory. Based on a previously obtained large sample of student subjects, we selectively invite subjects to the laboratory if their right-hand DR is in the top (High type) or bottom (Low type) tercile for their gender. Unbeknownst to the subjects, we perform a controlled match of High and Low types as opponents in a 2-person Tullock contest. We find that Low type (higher exposure to testosterone) males expend significantly higher conflict effort than High type males, that is, they are more aggressive, which reduces their opponents' earnings. Among females, however, everyone is more aggressive against the High type (who respond less aggressively). These results can partially be explained through high joy of winning and/or spitefulness for Low type males, and high spitefulness for Low type females. This investigation sheds light on the importance of biological aspects in the ex-ante determinants of conflict, and on contest design.

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Digit ratio (2D : 4D) and prosocial behaviour in economic games: no direct correlation with generosity, bargaining or trust-related behaviours

Cited by 14 publications

References 81 publications

The digit ratio (2D:4D) and economic preferences: no robust associations in a sample of 330 women

The digit ratio (2D:4D) and economic preferences: no robust associations in a sample of 330 women

No relationship between the digit ratios (2D:4D) and salivary testosterone change: Study on men under an acute exercise

‘Born this Way’? Prenatal Exposure to Testosterone May Determine Behavior in Competition and Conflict

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