Look at your index and ring finger. Then think about what did you got for your SAT. Do you believe that these two totally unrelated things: finger length and SAT scores actually has correlation? Do you know that only by looking at one’s finger length you can tell many things about that person.
A new research claimed that kids with longer ring fingers compared to index fingers are likely to have higher math scores than literacy or verbal scores on the SAT, while children with the reverse finger-length ratio are likely to have higher reading and writing, or verbal, scores versus math scores. As what we talked about in class, there is ‘z’ factors affecting the correlation between finger length and SAT scores. That factors are hormones called Testosterone and estrogen. The exposure of these hormones in wombs can affect children’s certain areas of brain. The research claimed that exposure to testosterone in the womb promotes developments of area of brain that is associated with spatial and mathematical skills, while exposure to estrogen promotes development of areas of the brain that is associated with verbal ability. Testosterone makes the ring finger longer, while estrogen makes index finger longer.
Mark Brosnan of the University of Bath, who lead the study and his colleagues made photocopies of palms of children who took the exam and measured the length of their index and ring fingers extremely accurately (0.01 millimeters). They used the finger-length ratios as a substitute of the levels of testosterone and estrogen exposure. They compared the finger length and the children’s test performance (boys and girls separately) and the result shows that there is a strong correlation between the high exposure of testosterone, indicated by longer ring finger than index finger, and higher scores in math. On the other hand, they looked at those girls who has lower testosterone exposure, indicated by longer index finger than ring finger, has higher literacy scores (reading and writing). Moreover, when they compare all children’s test performance and finger length ratio, they found that those with relatively long ring finger (higher exposure to testosterone) tend to have a wider gap between performance on math and literacy.
In fact, finger length ratio can not only predict children’s SAT scores, but also many other stuff you wouldn’t think of. There are studies about using finger length to predict one’s sexuality, personality. and even career path. It seems like finger length has correlation to many things, but actually it is the testosterone and estrogen causing the correlations.
Work cited: http://www.livescience.com/7290-finger-length-predicts-sat-performance.html
Pingback: Testosterone Class Actions – Testosterone Lawyer
This is interesting but definitely does not apply to me. My index finger is longer than ring finger on both of my hands, which, according to the research you presented, would mean that I had higher estrogen exposure and lower testosterone exposure. However, I definitely have greater mathematical skills than verbal skills. Same goes for my sister. She also has longer index fingers but greater mathematical skills than verbal. It’s possible that we are both just exceptions to the rule but as Yu Zhang already said, I agree there has to be more variables than are presented in this research.
I think you did a good job trying to explain the correlation between finger length and SAT scores by including what we learnt in class about the confounding or third variables– z variables. However, I don’t think it’s exactly correct. If we analyze these variables more specifically, there are at least two other variables except finger length and SAT score– hormones and certain areas of brain. Hormones affect the finger length; finger length influences certain areas of brain; brain impact SAT score. Hence, hormones cannot be identified as z variable because it’s not directly causally related with the putative response variable– SAT score. (It’s always good for us to attempt so as to find mistakes and correct them.)
What’s more, I found that comparison of length between ring finger and index finger can also see through certain personalities. “Scientists are not at the point where they can factor in finger length to arrive at a diagnosis, but they’ve gathered evidence that shows how this prenatal hormone imbalance can affect a person for life.”– research. Plus, the study gives some inequalities: “Increased verbal aggression Fq < 1; Improved athletic ability Fq < 1; Improved sense of direction Fq < 1; More physical aggression Fq < 1; More risk taking Fq < 1" What type of person are you?
This is really interesting! I would’ve never thought of something like that. I have to say, though, that my results were the opposite. I did better on the math section of the SAT but my index finger is longer than my ring finger. I am probably just an odd case, because the statistics seem pretty accurate!