Romantic Jealousy and Second to Fourth Digit Length Ratio: Gender Differences

Abstract

Previous research has investigated sex differences in romantic jealousy with regards to sexual and emotional infidelity. It has been largely accepted that males seem to report higher levels of distress over sexual infidelity than emotional infidelity, whereas females report higher levels of distress over emotional infidelity than sexual jealousy. However, not all literature presents these findings, suggesting that there may be a factor that is a little more sensitive than the simple dichotomy of an individual’s biological sex. The present research uses gender as this sensitive element, using testosterone as an indicator of masculinity, acquired through digit length (2D:4D ratio). Predictions include that there will be a relationship between 2D:4D ratio in males and females and gender, a relationship between gender in males and females and the type of reported distress, and a relationship between 2D:4D ratio and the type of romantic jealousy which will be mediated by gender. Forty-nine participants took part in three questionnaires (self-report jealousy scale, Bem sex role inventory, and hypothetical forced-choice scenarios) and were required to have the ventral surfaces of both hands photocopied. Data was analysed using Pearson’s Correlation and pathway analysis. Significant associations between masculinity and sexual jealousy were found for both males and females. However, masculinity did not significantly mediate the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and sexual jealousy for either sex. The findings are discussed relating to the development of gender, in terms of biological and social development.