SAT Scores Predicted by Finger Length?

A new study led by Dr. Mark Brosnan of the University of Bath to be published in The British Journal of Psychology has found a link between the relative lengths of a child's index & ring fingers and performance on standardized tests.

In boys, a longer ring finger than index finger was associated with scoring higher on the math portion of the SAT than the verbal portion. In girls, a shorter ring finger than index finger was associated with scoring higher on the verbal portion of the SAT than the math portion.

The researchers believe that differing levels of prenatal testosterone and estrogen affect both fetal brain development and finger length. Dr. Brosnan says, "Testosterone has been argued to promote development of the areas of the brain which are often associated with spatial and mathematical skills. Estrogen is thought to do the same in the areas of the brain which are often associated with verbal ability. We can use measurements of these fingers as a way of gauging the relative exposure to these two hormones in the womb and as we have shown through this study, we can also use them to predict ability in the key areas of numeracy and literacy."

Interesting theory but what may be true on the average for a group predicts absolutely nothing for any given individual. I've always scored significantly higher on the verbal portion of standardized tests than the math portion. Reading and writing have always come easily for me but math has not- particularly geometry & trigonometry, which were a real struggle.

Dr. Brosnan's research would predict that I should have a shorter ring than index finger; however, my ring finger is significantly longer than my index finger.

Guess we can't scrap the SAT in favor of finger length measurements any time soon...

(HT: the Daily Mail via Ednews.com)