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Short- and Long-Term Relationship Orientation and 2D:4D Finger-Length Ratio

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Abstract

Recent studies have shown that preferences for close relationships (Long-Term Relationship Orientation) are independent of preferences for various sexual partners (Short-Term Relationship Orientation). In the current studies, we hypothesized that Short-Term Relationship Orientation would be negatively related to 2D:4D finger-length ratio (i.e., the more masculine, the higher Short-Term Relationship Orientation). Study 1 found a negative relationship between Short-Term Relationship Orientation and right, but not left, hand 2D:4D among 91 male participants. Study 2 found a negative relationship between Short-Term Relationship Orientation and left, but not right, hand 2D:4D among 65 male participants, even after controlling for age, relationship status, social desirability, and sex drive. Female participants (n = 142) did not show this relationship in Study 2. This sex difference was discussed in terms of flexible female sexual strategies, which are supposed to be contingent on the local environment or menstrual cycle variations.

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Notes

  1. The SOI distinguishes between an unrestricted and restricted sociosexual orientation. Some researchers “prefer to refer to these ends using the more descriptively neutral phrases “short-term sexual strategy” and “long-term sexual strategy” (Greiling & Buss, 2000, p. 951). Therefore, these terms are used interchangeably in the literature.

  2. Dating status was recoded to unmated from single (n = 78), casual dater (n = 14) and mated from dating (n = 126) and married (n = 10).

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Philipp Bade, Katrin Ingenerf, Beate Jansen, Ulrike Kübler, Nina Röper, and Caroline Stachura for assistance in collecting the data. We also thank Rebecca Dörfler from the University of Wuppertal and Detlef Fetchenhauer, Mareike Hoffmann, Julia Pradel from the University of Cologne, Helen Greenland, and the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology (Social Psychology), University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, 42097, Germany

    Sascha Schwarz & Manfred Hassebrauck

  2. Department of Psychology (Applied Life-Management), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Maida Mustafić

  3. Department of Neurology, HELIOS Klinikum Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany

    Johannes Jörg

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  1. Sascha Schwarz
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  2. Maida Mustafić
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  3. Manfred Hassebrauck
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Correspondence to Sascha Schwarz.

Appendix: Relationship Orientation Questionnaire

Appendix: Relationship Orientation Questionnaire

Short-Term Relationship Orientation

  1. 1.

    I want to conquer as many partners as possible.

  2. 2.

    I would like to respond to every flirtation.

  3. 3.

    I can easily imagine having sex with somebody I won’t see again.

  4. 4.

    For me, there is nothing to be said against having sex with a stranger.

  5. 5.

    I want to have as many relationships as possible.

  6. 6.

    If I could, I would have sex with as many people as possible.

  7. 7.

    I can easily imagine having sex with an unknown person, if he/she is physically attractive.

Long-Term Relationship Orientation

  1. 1.

    My partner has to want children.

  2. 2.

    When I have found the right partner, I would like to settle down with her/him.

  3. 3.

    My partner must be able to handle children well.

  4. 4.

    Warmth and comfort are necessary parts of a relationship.

  5. 5.

    I would like to have a partner with whom I can get old.

  6. 6.

    My partner should give me a certain feeling of security.

  7. 7.

    It is important for me in choosing a partner that she/he could be a good mother/father.

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Schwarz, S., Mustafić, M., Hassebrauck, M. et al. Short- and Long-Term Relationship Orientation and 2D:4D Finger-Length Ratio. Arch Sex Behav 40, 565–574 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9698-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9698-9

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