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Low second-to-fourth-digit ratio might predict success among high-frequency financial traders because of a higher need for achievement

Kobe Millet
PNAS March 17, 2009 106 (11) E30; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0900396106
Kobe Millet
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The article by Coates et al. (1) adds interesting evidence that a low 2D:4D ratio in men predicts success, not only in sports (2, 3) or music (4), but also in job performance. According to the authors, low-2D:4D traders perform better (i.e., they earn more) because of basic characteristics: rapid visuomotor scanning and physical reflexes. However, they overlook another frugal explanation for their findings. Recently, it has been shown that low-2D:4D men react much more strongly on performance feedback than high-2D:4D men, irrespective of the performance itself (5). When men with a low 2D:4D ratio find themselves in a subordinate status position (e.g., when they lose a game), they might react strongly, e.g., by acting impulsively, or perhaps even abandoning the activity if possible (5). Following this rationale, my hypothesis is that low-2D:4D men want to excel and therefore will look for a specific domain (in both hobbies and jobs) where they have the abilities to excel. This idea might help to explain why a low 2D:4D ratio in men is related to better performance in completely different domains such as sports (2, 3) and music (4).The same mechanism might also lead to a better performance in trading in the financial world but needs not be limited to this type of job. I expect low-2D:4D people to outperform high-2D:4D people in all kind of competitive jobs, sports, and other activities, not because of specific physical characteristics, but because of one specific psychological characteristic: a higher need for achievement.

Footnotes

  • 1E-mail: kobe.millet{at}econ.kuleuven.be
  • Author contributions: K.M. wrote the paper.

  • The author declares no conflict of interest.

References

  1. ↵
    1. Coates JM,
    2. Gurnell M,
    3. Ruchini A
    (2009) Second-to-fourth digit ratio predicts success among high-frequency financial traders. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:623–628.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  2. ↵
    1. Manning J
    (2002) The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length and performance in skiing. J Sports Med Phys Fit 42:446–450.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  3. ↵
    1. Manning JT,
    2. Morris L,
    3. Caswell N
    (2007) Endurance running and digit ratio (2D:4D): Implications for fetal testosterone effects on running speed and vascular health. Am J Hum Biol 19:416–421.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  4. ↵
    1. Sluming VA,
    2. Manning JT
    (2000) Second to fourth digit ratio in elite musicians: Evidence for musical ability as an honest signal of male fitness. Evol Hum Behav 21:1–9.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  5. ↵
    1. Millet K,
    2. Dewitte S
    (2008) A subordinate status position increases the present value of financial resources for low 2D:4D men. Am J Hum Biol 20:110–115.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
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Low second-to-fourth-digit ratio might predict success among high-frequency financial traders because of a higher need for achievement
Kobe Millet
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Mar 2009, 106 (11) E30; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0900396106

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Low second-to-fourth-digit ratio might predict success among high-frequency financial traders because of a higher need for achievement
Kobe Millet
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Mar 2009, 106 (11) E30; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0900396106
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