Dr Raegan Murphy
School of Applied
Psychology
Cork Enterprise Centre
North Mall
University College Cork
Cork
Ireland
tel: + 353 21 490 4550
fax: + 353 21 427 0439
raegan.murphy@ucc.ie
8 November 2010
Ms Aoife Barry is currently a final year postgraduate Psychology student studying at
University College Cork. At present she is engaged in a final year project which requires a
small thesis to be written. Her current thesis topic is on the relationship between digit ratio
and autism. Her study is being modelled on research conducted by Prof. John T. Manning
who is a professor of the biological sciences at the University of Liverpool in the United
Kingdom. Prof. Manning and his team found a relationship between digit ratio, which is
determined by amount of exposure to prenatal testosterone in vitro, and the presence of an
autistic spectrum disorder in a child.
The aim of this study would be to replicate Manning’s study in an Irish context, in the hope that
it would strengthen what already appears to be a link between prenatal testosterone and the
development of autism. Eventually it is hoped that digit ratio could perhaps be used as a
biological marker for the presence of an autistic spectrum disorder. Should any parent wish to
examine the issue further before deciding on participation, a full copy of Manning’s original study is
available at: http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/docs/papers/2002_Manning_etal.pdf
All that is needed in order to participate is a simple photocopy or scan of both the person’s hands.
When photocopying, please ensure that both hands are flat and with the fingers as close to each other
as possible. In order to take a correct measure of digit ratio, the basal creases of both the ring and
index finger will need to be clear in the copies. The basal creases are the lines that occur where the
finger meets the palm. Please list the person’s age, gender and your own general judgement of
whether the disorder is mild, moderate or severe.
Participation in this study is completely anonymous and would be greatly appreciated. Anybody
wishing to participate can send photocopies to the college address listed above or e-mail them
to 105513171@student.ucc.ie. All participants wishing to be informed of significant results
can mail me privately with their details.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my research and please be assured that your
participation would be making a worthwhile contribution to the investigation of possible
biological roots for autistic spectrum disorders.
Regards,
Aoife Barry