Digit ratio (2D:4D), mate guarding, and physical aggression in dating couples

The current study assessed digit ratio (2D:4D) and mate guarding in 101 dating couples. Low 2D:4D men (indicating higher prenatal testosterone exposure) were more likely to state that they threatened male competitors and used more threats and physical aggression toward their female partners. Men wer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and individual differences 2009-05, Vol.46 (7), p.709-713
Main Authors: Cousins, Alita J., Fugère, Madeleine A., Franklin, Melissa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
2D:4D
Aggression
Biological and medical sciences
Competitors
Couple and family
Dating
Digit ratio
Evolutionary psychology
Fetal exposure
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Mate guarding
Men
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Sex differences
Social psychology
Testosterone
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Summary:The current study assessed digit ratio (2D:4D) and mate guarding in 101 dating couples. Low 2D:4D men (indicating higher prenatal testosterone exposure) were more likely to state that they threatened male competitors and used more threats and physical aggression toward their female partners. Men were particularly likely to use threats and physical aggression toward partners who cheated in the current relationship. In addition, women resisted mate guarding by men with high 2D:4D, particularly when women cheated on their partner. High 2D:4D women were more possessive toward their partner. This is consistent with ideas regarding the effects of sexual selection on mate guarding.
ISSN:0191-8869
1873-3549
DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2009.01.029