Digit ratios (2D:4D), postnatal testosterone and eye contact in toddlers. Academic Article

abstract

• Previous research has shown an association between eye contact and prenatal testosterone measured in amniocenteses samples. The purpose of this study was to test the association between eye contact and prenatal androgen action measured via second to fourth digit ratios (2D:4D ratios), and to explore the relationship between eye contact and postnatal testosterone levels. Participants included 72 children, between the ages of 18 and 24 months, and their parents. Salivary testosterone levels were obtained when children were 3-months old. At 18-months, 2D:4D ratios were measured and parent-child dyads participated in an 8-min play session that was recorded and later coded for duration and frequency of eye contact. Results indicated that larger 2D:4D ratios (indicative of lower androgen levels) significantly predicted longer duration and more frequency of eye contact, while postnatal testosterone levels were unrelated to eye contact. These novel findings suggest prenatal androgens may influence the emergence of social development.

authors

• Alexander, Gerianne

published proceedings

• Biol Psychol

author list (cited authors)

• Saenz, J., & Alexander, G. M.

citation count

• 23

complete list of authors

• Saenz, Janet||Alexander, Gerianne M

publication date

• January 2013

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• Biological Psychology  Journal

keywords

• Child, Preschool
• Digit Ratio (2d:4d)
• Eye
• Eye Contact
• Female
• Fingers
• Humans
• Infant
• Interpersonal Relations
• Male
• Ocular Physiological Phenomena
• Postnatal Androgens
• Saliva
• Testosterone

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.05.010

start page

• 106

end page

• 108

volume

• 94

issue

• 1

URL

• http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1016%2Fj.biopsycho.2013.05.010