Finger length may predict financial success

(NO, NOT THAT FINGER.)

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer
2 hrs 59 mins ago [12 Jan 2009]

WASHINGTON – The length of a man's ring finger may predict his success as a financial trader. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England report that men with longer ring fingers, compared to their index fingers, tended to be more successful in the frantic high-frequency trading in the London financial district.

Indeed, the impact of biology on success was about equal to years of experience at the job, the team led by physiologist John M. Coates reports in Monday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The same ring-to-index finger ratio has previously been associated with success in competitive sports such as soccer and basketball, the researchers noted.

The length ratio between those two fingers is determined during the development of the fetus and the relatively longer ring finger indicates greater exposure to the male hormone androgen, the researchers noted.

Previous studies have found that such exposure can lead to increased confidence, risk preferences, search persistence, heightened vigilance and quickened reaction times.

[End quote, and projecting: And the bumps on your head predict criminality, the length of your nose indicates abnormal sexual proclivities, and if all your fingers a long enough you'll be a famous pianist. ... and the article suggests that if someone breaks off your middle finger because you "projected it" once too often you'll go broke?]

John