Are You Mean And Likely To Cheat? Just Ask Your Fingers

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Do you spend time looking at your spouse’s fingers? No? Well I do. Or at least I did.

A recent study suggested finger length could determine how nice men were to women.

He looks like a keeper. (Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art)

He looks like a keeper. (Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art)

Apparently, the ratio between a man’s ring finger and index finger is related to the amount of androgen exposure he received in utero. In other words, the longer his ring finger is compared to his index finger, the more male hormones he enjoyed as a fetus.

Of the men studied, those whose ring fingers more closely matched their index fingers in length were nicer to women. According to the study’s author: “When with women, men with smaller ratios were more likely to listen attentively, smile and laugh, compromise or compliment the other person.”

As for those whose ring finger was much longer? Well, ladies, don’t expect praise anytime soon.*

As if that wasn’t trouble enough, the article linked to yet another study that suggested the longer the ring finger compared to the index finger, the more likely a person was to be promiscuous.

Say what?

Upon reading this news, I abandoned my laptop and scurried over to Mr. Rubin who was drying a pot in the kitchen (that should have been my first clue). Plucking his hand out of the dishtowel, I plopped it on the counter. This is what I found:

mikes hand 1 doc

Phew! What a relief. We’re good to go, folks.

But then my husband, wise man that he is, splayed his other hand on the counter. That’s when I saw this:

mikes hand two doc

Hmm, we seemed to be in a bit of a finger pickle.

But before I chastised him, I decided to check my own digits.

And this is what I found:

Carries hand with sheldon

 

Perhaps I’ll just stay quiet, after all…

What’s your finger ratio?

*Of course, I jest. A study is just a study and should be interpreted with common sense.

*     *     *

Rubin4Carrie Rubin is the author of The Seneca Scourge, a medical thriller. For full bio, click here.    

228 Responses to “Are You Mean And Likely To Cheat? Just Ask Your Fingers”

  1. ofglassandbooks

    Brilliant ! I actually watched a whole programme about this a few years ago and interestingly the ratio between the ring finger and the index was indicative of competitiveness and drive to succeed in life, as opposed to a tendency to cheat. Phew indeed, considering my left hand incriminating shape!!! Good post, thanks!

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Seems there’s quite a bit to learn about a person from their fingers. Hmm, now I’m wondering about toes… 😉

      Like

  2. benzeknees

    Funny how your 2 hands can be so different! My left hand has a shorter ring finger than my index finger yet my right hand those 2 fingers are virtually the same length! Don’t know how scientific the study is but it made me look!

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      I would think mismatched fingers could confuse the findings. Maybe the researchers would have to throw that data out. 😉

      Like

  3. Kate Johnston

    Hubs is at work now, so I can’t check his finger ratio. The fingers on my left hand are quite even, but, alas, there is a bit of a length difference on my right hand. So, I guess I’m like Mr. Rubin in this regard. And, now that I’ve been studying my hands this long, I’m noticing I need a manicure. Thanks! 🙂

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, if you get a manicure, you’re one step ahead of me. I’ve never had one, actually. I think the pictures are evidence of that. 😉

      Like

  4. Kourtney Heintz

    Doing the dishes was definitely a giveaway that you got yourself a great one there! Wow, that’s a huge difference in the ratio between the left and the right hand. I’m not sure how that affects the results. 😉

    Like

  7. philosophermouseofthehedge

    You have the best illustrations. Every time humans think they have a clue, another study points to a ringer and it’s complicated all over again? Looks like you got a finger on pulse of the (hilarious) comments though

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Aren’t the comments great? I had so much fun reading them.

      Yes, I’d like to see if the results of this study get replicated, or if it’s just one of those weak correlations that doesn’t amount to anything.

      Thanks for the nice words about my pics. 🙂

      Like

  8. Rilla Z

    So, basically, if mom didn’t give her baby boy enough hormones in the womb, the poor cheating skunk is not to blame; he was just born that way. I’m sure people were paid good money to get these men off the hook. Some studies today remind me of reading the explanation of how Frankenstein created his monster. I’m detecting some gaping holes in logic here.

    Like

  9. talesfromthemotherland

    Now I feel like i have to drive to the hospital and haul my Mr Dr’s fingers out of those gloves! Based on my fingers (both hands) not only will I be nice, but true as well. Phew. Now, I’ll be pacing until he gets home….

    Like

  10. Good Woman

    What an interesting study. Absolutely everything can be studied apparently. Of course, it is likely that there might be another study that finds exactly the opposite. They say you can find statistics to prove anything you want. I found this to be a fascinating topic for a post and it was so well written. An easy read.

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      You’re right about studies frequently showing the opposite of earlier studies. Only when results are replicated several times do they become more meaningful. It will be interesting to see if future studies confirm these findings.

      Thanks for reading and commenting and for your kind words!

      Like

  11. J.B. Whitmore

    I don’t think the rule applies to women. Also, you can slide your fingers to the left and ta da! Index and ring fingers same length. No excuses for being mean.

    Like

  12. peakperspective

    There was a terrific story on the Ted Radio Hour this week with Mathematician Hannah Fry who explained how using mathematical models, you can find an “ideal” mate – and also discover which marriages are likely to end in divorce. You might find it wonderfully interesting, if not simply entertaining.
    Cheers, Carrie!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. earthriderjudyberman

    My husband’s sleeping right now, so I’ll check in the morning. 😆 But I actually don’t need to because he is very kind, he cooks many meals, does the dishes and even makes me lunch. I know … I know. I’m very spoiled. 😉

    Like

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