Study of Aggressive Behavior of an Individual from Ratio of Index and Ring Fingers Length

Abstract

Background: Aggression is behavior directed toward another individual and carried out with the intent to cause harm. Males tend to be more aggressive than females. Index finger is the first finger and the second digit and ring finger is the fourth digit of the human hand. Digit ratio commonly known as 2D:4D is the ratio of the index finger (2D) to ring finger (4D). Males have shorter index finger than the ring finger but females have equal length of index and ring fingers. Therefore, 2D:4D is higher in female than in male. Aims: To know the aggressive behavior from the length of index and ring fingers. Materials and Methods: Subjects were recruited from Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Chaukot, Nepal. Two hundred students (77 boys and 123 girls) of age 19 25 years with no congenital anomalies of finger were randomly selected as participants. Length was measured on ventral surface of hand from the midpoint of most proximal crease of each digit to fingertip. Results: Physical aggression is more in male but verbal aggression, anger and hostility are more in female. Average finger length of index and ring fingers of both the hand of male are more than that of female. Digit ratio of male and female is 0.96 and 0.97 respectively. Conclusions: Males are more aggressive than females. Males have shorter index finger than ring finger but females have equal length of index and ring fingers. Ratio of index finger and ring finger (2D:4D) is higher in female.