Abstract

In this paper, we find that a proxy of prenatal testosterone exposure (i.e., digit ratio) is a significant predictor of preferences for products that differ in perceived masculinity vs. femininity. A more masculine (feminine) digit ratio predicts choice of products that have an increasingly masculine (feminine) image. This relationship is statistically significant for male consumers, but not for females. •2D:4D digit ratio is a biomarker of prenatal sex hormone exposure in humans.•We replicate a behavioral digit-ratio study approach in consumption choice context.•2D:4D is found to predict choices of masculine vs. feminine products among males.•A lower 2D:4D is found to predict choice of products with a more masculine image.•A higher 2D:4D is found to predict choice of products with a more feminine image.

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doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2013.09.001, hdl.handle.net/1765/51409
ERIM Top-Core Articles
International Journal of Research in Marketing
Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University

Aspara, J., & van den Bergh, B. (2014). Naturally designed for masculinity vs. femininity? Prenatal testosterone predicts male consumers' choices of gender-imaged products. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 31(1), 117–121. doi:10.1016/j.ijresmar.2013.09.001