Technophobia 'determined before birth'

The fear of using technology could be established before we are born, scientists have claimed.

Even while still in the womb, hormones can shape a person's attitude towards new technology in the brain, according to researchers from Bath University.

Pre-natal testosterone exposure has an impact on the development of the brain, making it either easier or harder for a person to understand technology in later life, according to the scientists.

Dr Mark Brosnan, who led the research, said: ''It is fascinating that this index of prenatal testosterone exposure is impacting upon university grades 20 years later.

''We have come across many technophobes during our research and this will help us better address their computer-related anxieties.''

Scientists found that levels of prenatal testosterone exposure were higher in computer science students.

Levels of exposure were measured by comparing the length of the students' ring finger to the index finger, with the greater difference in length indicating higher exposure to prenatal testosterone.

The study compared the finger lengths of 150 computer science students and found in every case a clear link between a student's grades and the relative lengths of their index and ring fingers.

The team also looked at 119 non-computer science students and found that a shorter ring finger relative to the index finger was connected to greater feelings of anxiety about using technology.

The research suggests that lower exposure to prenatal testosterone relates to general anxiety sensitivity.

Dr Brosnan added: ''Anxiety sensitive people, who may have technophobia, often think of themselves as failures or that they are stupid, but everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

''What this shows is that these people are not failures. The relationship between prenatal testosterone exposure and sensitivity to anxiety could then be useful in tailoring information differently to help anxiety concerning new technologies.''

The research will be published in the academic journal Personality And Individual Differences.