Finger length may predict financial success

[uppityperson]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090113/ap_on_sc/sci_financial_finger_4

The length of a man's ring finger may predict his success as a financial trader. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England report that men with longer ring fingers, compared to their index fingers, tended to be more successful in the frantic high-frequency trading in the London financial district.

Indeed, the impact of biology on success was about equal to years of experience at the job, the team led by physiologist John M. Coates reports in Monday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The same ring-to-index finger ratio has previously been associated with success in competitive sports such as soccer and basketball, the researchers noted.

The length ratio between those two fingers is determined during the development of the fetus and the relatively longer ring finger indicates greater exposure to the male hormone androgen, the researchers noted. Previous studies have found that such exposure can lead to increased confidence, risk preferences, search persistence, heightened vigilance and quickened reaction times.
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Some traders require additional skills on dealing with clients and sales workers...(more)

[lapfog_1]

1. My ring finger is significantly longer than my index.

But it's my middle finger that I'm using right now! :) (I ain't rich! Kinda the opposite actually)

[Tunkamerica]

2. It's not actually finger length but the ratio between

ring finger and index finger. The title (I know it's the original (I read this earlier tonight) is confusing.

[Richard Steele]

3. yeah, but only among folks so IDIOTIC & INSULATED that they have time to notice finger length.

Day Traders? Seriously, that's the 'study group' here?
The "study" is worthless, pointless, and I'd like to see
just who the hell got paid the $$$ for doing it.

I take a size XXL glove, and I'm waving my longest finger
at my PC screen right now, KnowhutImean?

[leftstreet]

6. LOL And just where do they find the unsuccessful Day Traders?

Unemployment lines?

LOL I wish someone would pay me to do a study like this!

[Richard Steele]

8. They took random samples from the heavy foot- traffic at a glove store.

One of the many glove stores in the old part of downtown,
where "Finger-Length Street" meets "6-way Palm Measurement Avenue";
that area your grandpa used to call 'the old Glove District".

Either that or they're completely full of shit
and their "random sample" amounts to 3 guys they
found hanging around in the cafeteria in their office building
at 3:00 pm on a weekday.

Which one of those explanations do you find more likely?
Your answer lies within.

[catnhatnh]

4. HOLY SHIT-I'd make an AWESOME Trader....

and even RICHER if I used my left hand!

[Tunkamerica]

7. my left hand ring finger is longer too

is that common?

[exboyfil]

5. This is an English study but does

anyone wonder how many shovel ready projects may be as useless as this study?

In World War II Truman was put in charge of ensuring that defense spending was not wasteful. The biographers indicated that he did an excellent job in this role, and his work is one of the reasons Roosevelt selected him for V.P.

We need to ensure that we have a Truman marshalling this stimulus spending. If it has to be done, lets make sure its for projects with meaningful results.