- ‘Gender differences in working memory performance as a function of sex hormone levels.’
Brief Introduction: Some researchers have suggested that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may be
sexually differentiated in humans due to the action of sex hormones on PFC development. This is
thought to lead to differences in working memory (WM) function (Duff & Hampson, 2001).
A smaller ratio (i.e. ring finger that is greater in length than the pointer finger) is typical in males and
indicates higher levels of testosterone in utero. Females typically have a larger 2D:4D ratio (ring finger
and pointer finger of a similar length) which indicates lower testosterone levels in utero. Therefore
2D:4D ratio can be used as a surrogate measure of sex hormone levels in utero (Malas et al., 2006).
Studies have found significant relationships between 2D:4D ratio and WM performance with lower
ratios (indicating higher testosterone levels) correlating with better WM performance (Kalmady et al.,
2013).
The aim of the current study is to further investigate this gender difference to confirm whether a
gender difference exists and, if so, what the nature of that difference is. Our study will use a uniquely
large adult sample while also correlating WM performance with 2D:4D ratio as an indirect measure of
testosterone levels in utero.
In this study, you will be both a participant and a researcher.
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