The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China

Abstract

We examined the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio and sexual orientation in men from China and analyzed the influences of the components used to assess sexual orientation and the criteria used to classify individuals as homosexual on this relationship. A total of 309 male and 110 female participants took part in a web-based survey. Our results showed that heterosexual men had a significantly lower 2D:4D than heterosexual women and exclusively homosexual men had a significantly higher left 2D:4D than heterosexual men whereas only exclusively homosexual men had a significantly higher right 2D:4D than heterosexual men when sexual orientation was assessed via sexual attraction. The left 2D:4D showed a significant positive correlation with sexual identity, sexual attraction, and sexual behavior, and the right 2D:4D showed a significant positive correlation with sexual attraction. The effect sizes for differences in 2D:4D between homosexual and heterosexual men varied according to criteria used to classify individuals as homosexual and sexual orientation components; the more stringent the criteria (scores closer to the homosexual category), the larger the effect sizes; further, sexual attraction yielded the largest effect size. There were no significant effects of age and latitude on Chinese 2D:4D. This study contributes to the current understanding of the relationship between 2D:4D and male sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation and neurocognitive ability: A meta-analysis in men and women

“…This suggests that the inclusion of a broader category of non-heterosexuals (encompassing individuals with bisexual or more sexually fluid sexual interests) may potentially obfuscate the detection of sexual orientation cognitive differences. Thus, future studies should better assess the full range of sexual orientation and apply appropriate thresholds for categorising different sexual orientation groups (Xu and Zheng, 2016). Again, the number of samples comparing exclusive heterosexuals with nonexclusive homosexuals was substantially smaller than exclusive-only comparisons (Table 2).…”

Digit ratio, a proposed marker of the prenatal hormone environment, is not associated with prenatal sex steroids, anogenital distance, or gender-typed play behavior in preschool age children

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Based on the appealing premise that this simple, noninvasive measure may yield insight into otherwise hidden data on the prenatal environment, thousands of published papers have now examined digit ratio in relation to a wide variety of outcomes (e.g. reproductive cancers, 17 cardiovascular health, 18,19 athletic performance, 20,21 sexuality, 22,23 and personality 24,25 ), with inconsistent results in adults. By comparison, relatively few studies have examined digit ratio in childhood.…”

Low Digit Ratio (2d:4d) and Masculine Attributes: A Critical Analysis

“…Previous researchers examined the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio and sexual orientation in Chinese men and studied the influences of the components used to determine sexual orientation. The study revealed that left 2D:4D had a significant positive correlation with sexual identity, sexual desire, sexual conduct and right 2D:4D had a significant positive correlation with sexual attraction (Xu & Zheng, 2016). Similarly, prenatal testosterone and estrogen hormone is likely to be connected with males' sexual orientation (Lippa, 2003).…”