The finger ration- measurement methodology

Well conventional science has discovered the 2D:4D finger ratio! One just has to wade through all the peer reviewed studies to gauge the level of interest, naming and claiming.
I personally, while finding the book by John Manning on finger ratios very interesting, disagree with the methodology of measuring the finger length. I have always used the outer hand, not the palm for these measurements and they seem to be more accurate- this is the actual length of the digits, whereas the palm travels someway up the lowest carpal due to the connective tissues. What do others think?
I was immensely annoyed that while finding its way into our social psychology course, due largely to research into aggression, attributed to testosterone during development in the womb, in our course notes they actually had the ratio reversed- so away went most students with no real understanding.
However the text (Kassin Fein, Markus, McBain & Williams, 2015: Social Psychology) highlighted the many studies, many listed here, that have found correlations with increased likelihood of aggression towards partners, sport, sumo wrestling, military, with marines having lower rations than army.
I have found, despite claims it does not apply to women, that a significant number of people with longer ring fingers have also greater visio-spacial awareness, hence its association with artists, architects, and gamblers.
I am concerned that, like science in general, the tendency is to study the part without the context of the whole hand- and to look for one trait. A long ring finger for me definitely is highlighting the role of the right side of the brain in that person's life. As far as military personnel go, it really depends on the role, I have noted many in the military in senior roles have water hands, engineers strong long air hands with very long middle fingers and lower carpal, however the variations are too numerous to mention as many of you know.
My concern is that science is largely ignoring the role of palmistry and discount the hundreds of years of observational correlations made.

I would love input from others on measuring the ratio

Felicity

Hi Martijn

Thanks for moving the query into the appropriate section. By the outer hand I use the mid point of the knuckles as opposed to the flexure lines on the palm as so many people have variations in their palmer connective tissue at the base of the fingers, and sometimes this varies even from the left and right hands. From personal observation I have found this to more correctly reflect the person and their attributes- however I will read the many useful posts in your suggested section.

I am hoping to look at hands as my honours project this coming year, having just completed my degree (Bach Behavioural Studies (Psychology Advanced) as a very mature-aged student. The area I hope to explore is depression and loneliness.

Felicity