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The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China

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Abstract

We examined the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio and sexual orientation in men from China and analyzed the influences of the components used to assess sexual orientation and the criteria used to classify individuals as homosexual on this relationship. A total of 309 male and 110 female participants took part in a web-based survey. Our results showed that heterosexual men had a significantly lower 2D:4D than heterosexual women and exclusively homosexual men had a significantly higher left 2D:4D than heterosexual men whereas only exclusively homosexual men had a significantly higher right 2D:4D than heterosexual men when sexual orientation was assessed via sexual attraction. The left 2D:4D showed a significant positive correlation with sexual identity, sexual attraction, and sexual behavior, and the right 2D:4D showed a significant positive correlation with sexual attraction. The effect sizes for differences in 2D:4D between homosexual and heterosexual men varied according to criteria used to classify individuals as homosexual and sexual orientation components; the more stringent the criteria (scores closer to the homosexual category), the larger the effect sizes; further, sexual attraction yielded the largest effect size. There were no significant effects of age and latitude on Chinese 2D:4D. This study contributes to the current understanding of the relationship between 2D:4D and male sexual orientation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, School of Psychology, Southwest University, No. 1 Tiansheng, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Yin Xu & Yong Zheng

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  1. Yin Xu
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  2. Yong Zheng
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Correspondence to Yong Zheng.

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Xu, Y., Zheng, Y. The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China. Arch Sex Behav 45, 735–741 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0535-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0535-z

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