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2D:4D and Self-Employment Using SOEP Data: A Replication Study

Author

Listed:
  • Fossen, Frank M.

    (University of Nevada, Reno)

  • Neyse, Levent

    (DIW Berlin)

  • Johannesson, Magnus

    (Stockholm School of Economics)

  • Dreber Almenberg, Anna

    (University of Innsbruck)

Abstract

The 2 D:4D digit ratio, the ratio of the length of the 2nd digit to the length of the 4th digit, is often considered a proxy for testosterone exposure in utero. A recent study by Nicolaou et al. (2018) reported an association between the lefthand 2 D:4D and self-employment (in a sample of about 1,000 adults). In this preregistered study we replicate these results on a new and larger sample of about 2,600 adults from the German Socioeconomic Panel-Innovation Sample (SOEP-IS). We find no statistically significant associations between 2 D:4D and self-employment and thus cannot confirm the findings of Nicolaou et al. (2018) for left-hand 2 D:4D. Our estimated 99.5% confidence intervals are within an about 2 percentage points change in self-employment for a one standard deviation change in the 2 D:4D when we pool results for men and women (the association does not differ significantly between men and women). Even larger studies are needed to rule out smaller effect sizes.

Suggested Citation

  • Fossen, Frank M. & Neyse, Levent & Johannesson, Magnus & Dreber Almenberg, Anna, 2020. "2D:4D and Self-Employment Using SOEP Data: A Replication Study," IZA Discussion Papers 13180, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    testosterone; self-employment; entrepreneurship; hormones; digit ratio;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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