1. Home
2. Archive
3. 2016
4. 1/2016
5. 2D:4D and personality features in Armenian students: gender differences

2D:4D and personality features in Armenian students: gender differences

Butovskaya M.L. (1,2), Mkrtchjan R.A. (3)

1) Institute of ethnology and anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; 2) Center of Social Anthropology, Russian State University for Humanities, Moscow, Russia; 3) Erevan state university, Erevan, Armenia

Butovskaya Marina L., PhD, DSci., professor; ORCID ID0000-0002-5528-0519; e-mail: marina.butovskaya@gmail.com; Mkrtchjan R.A.: e-mail: ruzantrop55@mail.ru.

Abstract

The goal of this study was: to test the association between 2D:4D ratio and ‘big five’ personality factors in the sample of Armenian students; estimate the gender differences in self-ratings on ‘big five’ scales of NEO FFI; to test the role of gender in expression of associations between 2D:4D ratio and self-ratings on NEO. This study was conducted in 2014–2015 in Erevan (Armenia). The respondents were students of Erevan University: 125 men, and 117 women, with the mean age of 20,5 y (age range: 18–30). We measured the length of 3nd and 4th digits on both hands following Manning’s methodology with digital Vernier caliper measuring to 0,01 mm. All measurements were conducted twice. 2D:4D for each hand were calculated by dividing the length of 2nd digit to 4th digit. Digit ratios calculated on the basis of each of two trials were highly correlated (ICC =0,98 for both hands). Significant sex differences in 2D:4D on both hands were demonstrated in Armenian students. 2D:4D in men were significantly lower than in women. Women rated significantly higher on neuroticism and openness to experience compared to men. Conscientiousness was positively correlated with age of respondents. Significant positive association between right hand 2D:4D and neuroticism was found for men, but not for women. It was demonstrated that men with lower right hand 2D:4D ratio was significantly more extravert, but this correlation was absent for women. The results of this study have been discussed in the context of other studies on associations between the 2D:4D ratios and personality features in humans. It is concluded that prenatal androgenization may cause certain effect on human behavior, particularly on neuroticism and extraversion. This effect is more expressed in men.

Keywords

anthropology, psychology, 2D:4D, prenatal androgenization, ‘big-five’ NEO FFI, Armenians, sex differences

Цит.: Butovskaya M.L., Mkrtchjan R.A. 2D:4D and personality features in Armenian students: gender differences // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2016; 1/2016; с. 76-85