DIFFERENCES IN FINGER LENGTH RATIO BETWEEN STUDENTS OF PSYCHOLOGY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Abstract

Background: The disproportionate length of human fingers has generated much interest among researchers. Attention has been drawn to the relationship between the palmar digit (2D:4D) ratio and personality, but the obtained results have been inconsistent. This pilot research project was a qualitative study that aimed to investigate the similarity or differences in the length of fingers 2 and 4 in two groups of students aged 20-21 years from different study programs (psychology and special education and rehabilitation) from Tetova University in Tetova to see if the selection of study program is influenced by the length of certain fingers. Materials and procedure: Single measures of the lengths of the 2nd and 4th digits from the fingertip to the ventral proximal crease of the left and right hand were collected using a ruler calibrated to 0.05 cm. The measurements were anonymous and performed in October of 2023 by the lecturer of teaching subjects in 30 consenting students who participated voluntarily and without any compensation in the participation. At the same time, the data analysis was done statistically using the paired samples test. Results: Means and standard deviations of the parameters with respect to group differences were calculated. We found a nonsignificant group difference in the 2D:4D ratio for the right hand (p=0.402) and for the left hand (p=0.775). Conclusion: Detailed information of finger length parameters and D2:D4 index in a sample study with more participants in the future period will be used from the perspective of neuropsychology.