Career choice dictated by hormones

Prenatal hormones determine the career choice

07/16/2011

The hormone level in the womb influences the later professional career. Psychologists from the University of Konstanz come to this conclusion when investigating possible relationships between prenatal hormone levels and the professional interests of women and men in adulthood. Accordingly, a high testosterone level in the womb causes an increased technical interest, a low testosterone level leads to a preference for social activities.

The researchers led by Katja Päßler and Benedikt Hell of the University of Konstanz found in their comprehensive study that later professional interests are largely determined by the hormone levels in the womb and social factors play a rather subordinate role. The current study results, the researchers suggest the conclusion, „that we can not expect or even demand equal gender distribution in study programs or occupations.“

Prenatal hormone levels affect professional interests
In the context of their study, the psychologists of the University of Konstanz compared the professional careers of more than 8,600 adult participants with their prenatal hormone levels and discovered astonishing results: Obviously, later professional interests are determined before birth. To determine the hormone levels of the subjects before their birth, the researchers used the findings of a previous study, according to the length ratio between the index finger and ring finger as an indicator of prenatal testosterone levels can be evaluated. Because the length of the fingers and the prenatal hormone levels are determined by the same gene sequence. Based on this indicator, the researchers determined the prenatal hormone levels of the study participants and compared this with the current occupational activity of the subjects. The psychologists were able to prove that a high testosterone level before birth promotes a later interest in technical issues and associated with a low testosterone an increased interest in dealing with people, so the statement of psychologists. Thus, the current study also confirms the gender stereotypes according to which men prefer technical occupations and women prefer social activities.

Hormone levels determine gender-specific occupational interests
The connections between the prenatal hormone level and the professional career could therefore also provide an explanation for the gender-specific interests in technical and social careers, said the scientists of the University of Konstanz. „Our findings lead to the implication that we should not expect or even demand gender equality in study programs or occupations“, explained Benedikt Hell at the presentation of the current study results. However, according to the researchers, the new findings do not permit any conclusions as to the individual career path, since the study only „trends“ in a large sample. Nevertheless, these trends can be seen as significant differences in professional interests as a function of prenatal hormone levels, the experts explained.

Hormones affect behavior
It has long been known that hormones affect human behavior. But so far, it was rather the short-term hormone level fluctuations, as they can occur, for example, in a thyroid disorder in the focus of interest. However, the psychologists have now significantly extended the time frame of possible effects of the hormone level. The fact that hormones should induce patterns of behavior before birth, such as an increased interest in social issues or technical careers, provides new starting points for future research to find out how hormones affect behavior and individual development. (Fp)

Also read:
Digressive thoughts make you unhappy
Menopause also affects men
Breast cancer screening: Instead of hormones a lot of exercise
Breast cancer through hormone treatments
Yoga relieves menopause discomfort

Picture credits: Gerd Altmann / AllSilhouettes.com