Associations between the second to fourth digit ratio and career interests

The ratio between second to fourth digit length (2D:4D) is known to be sexually dimorphic with males having lower values than females on average. This ratio is thought to be a marker for the concentration of prenatal testosterone relative to estrogen, which influences early brain development. 2D:4D is a correlate of many sex-dimorphic traits. The present study was conducted to investigate if there are associations between finger length ratio and career interests known to be different between males and females. In this study sex differences were found for the dimensions “Realistic” and “Enterprising” (higher levels in males) and “Conventional” (higher levels in females). The results further revealed a negative correlation between 2D:4D and “Enterprising” and a tendency for a negative association with “Investigative” in females as well. In males a negative correlation could be obtained for 2D:4D and “Realistic” and “Enterprising”. Low 2D:4D, indicating high levels of prenatal testosterone, is related to a “masculinized” score in career interests for the group of males as well as for the group of females in different scales. Consequently, it can be assumed that also sex differences in career interests can partially be attributed to the influence of prenatal androgens on brain development.