Finger length 'determines exam results'
Exam success could be determined by finger length
Also In The News
|
African elephants could be on the cusp of a slide into extinction due to rampant growth in the illegal ivory trade, conservationists have warned. |  |
Wednesday, 23, May 2007 11:06
Finger length could help to predict how well children will do in their maths and literacy exams, according to a new study.
After studying 75 children's hands and their standardised assessment test (SAT) scores at the age of seven, researchers from the University of Bath found that having a longer ring finger than index (pointing) finger results in higher scores in maths than literacy.
This link is thought to be due to different levels of the hormones testosterone and oestrogen in the womb and how they affect brain development and finger length.
"Testosterone has been argued to promote development of the areas of the brain which are often associated with spatial and mathematical skills," said the study's lead author Dr Mark Brosnan.
"Oestrogen is thought to do the same in the areas of the brain which are often associated with verbal ability."
The researchers divided the length of the children's index finger by the length of the ring finger to calculate a 'digit ratio'.
A smaller ratio – a longer ring finger and therefore greater prenatal exposure to testosterone – resulted in better maths scores.
In girls, low prenatal testosterone exposure, which resulted in a shorter ring finger compared with the index finger, led to higher literacy scores.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Brosnan, said: "We're not suggesting that finger-length measurements could replace SAT tests.
"Finger ratio provides us with an interesting insight into our innate abilities in key cognitive areas. We are also looking at how digit ratio relates to other behavioural issues, such as technophobia, and career paths.
"There is also interest in using digit ratio to identify developmental disorders, such as dyslexia, which can be defined in terms of literacy deficiencies," Dr Brosnan concluded.
The study is published in the British Journal of Psychology.