Episode 97: The 2D:4D digit ratio

About this episode

This episode explores the significance of the 2D:4D digit ratio and its implications for personality and other traits.

The last few episodes have been pretty heavy. So here’s… well, here’s the 2D:4D ratio. Does the difference in length between your index finger and your ring finger reveal a huge amount about your personality (and much more besides)? Perhaps you won’t be surprised by the answer. But we promise you’ll be surprised by just how much effort scientists have put into finding out… The Science Fictions podcast is brought to you by Works in Progress magazine . And now, articles from Works in Progress magazine are read aloud to you by… Stuart from Science Fictions. Every week, a new audio version of a WiP article will be released for your listening enjoyment. Find out more at www.worksinprogress.news . Show notes * Anthropological paper from 1888 on hands * A “ preliminary investigation ” of digit ratio and personality (2002) * Meta-analysis on the topic of aggression from 2017 * PNAS study on the digit ratios of London City traders * Vastly bigger, null study on 2D:4D and economic preferences * Study of digit ratio in orchestral musicians * Follow-up study with contradictory results on musical abilities * 2D:4D and the wearing of wedding rings * Original paper on sexuality and digit ratio…

People in this episode

Hosts: Tom Chivers, Stuart Ritchie

Topics covered

• digit ratio
• personality
• scientific studies
• finger length
• psychology
• anthropology

Keywords

• 2D:4D
• digit ratio
• personality traits
• scientific research
• finger length
• psychology
• anthropology

Sponsors

Works in Progress magazine

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Anthropological paper from 1888 on hands, preliminary investigation of digit ratio and personality, Meta-analysis on the topic of aggression from 2017, PNAS study on the digit ratios of London City traders, Vastly bigger, null study on 2D:4D and economic preferences, Study of digit ratio in orchestral musicians, Follow-up study with contradictory results on musical abilities, 2D:4D and the wearing of wedding rings, Original paper on sexuality and digit ratio, 2025 meta-analysis

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