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Sociosexual Orientation and 2D:4D Ratios in Women: Relationship to Men’s Desirability Ratings as a Long-Term Pair Bond

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Abstract

The current study examined whether men’s ratings of women’s desirability as a long-term pairbond, based on static photographs, were related to the women’s second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and their sexual attitudes and behavior. The 2D:4D ratio was measured in 164 women and facial photographs were taken of 55 of these women. All women completed the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI). Male participants (n = 89), masked to this information, rated the 55 female participants on their desirability as a long-term sexual partner, specifically along dimensions of faithfulness, youthfulness, and attractiveness. Ten independent judges rated women’s photographed faces on masculinity. Results indicated a significant negative relationship between women’s SOI scores and men’s faithfulness ratings (more unrestricted sociosexuality was associated with lower faithfulness ratings). There was also a significant positive relationship between right (but not left) 2D:4D ratio and faithfulness ratings (women with female-like ratios were rated as being more faithful). The SOI scores of the women were not related to 2D:4D ratios. These results suggest that the potential for sexual infidelity can be gleaned from static facial cues.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all of the male and female participants who graciously volunteered their time and YTI Career Institute, Altoona Campus, for use of some of their students as research participants. We would also like to thank three anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments about the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Ave., Office 7405, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Tara L. DeLecce

  2. Psychology Department, Pennsylvania State University, Altoona Campus, Altoona, PA, USA

    John P. Polheber & Robert L. Matchock

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  1. Tara L. DeLecce
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  2. John P. Polheber
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Correspondence to Tara L. DeLecce.

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DeLecce, T.L., Polheber, J.P. & Matchock, R.L. Sociosexual Orientation and 2D:4D Ratios in Women: Relationship to Men’s Desirability Ratings as a Long-Term Pair Bond. Arch Sex Behav 43, 319–327 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-013-0201-2

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