Technophobia or fear of new technology begins before we are born, say researchers. University of Bath researchers claim pre-natal testosterone exposure has an effect on the way the brain develops that makes it either easier or more difficult to grasp technology.

Mark Brosnan, study leader at Bath said: "Lower levels of pre-natal testosterone exposure were related to anxieties concerning the use of new technologies, such as computers."

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 pre-natal testosterone, according to the Daily Mail.

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 relatively 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 pre-natal testosterone relates to general anxiety sensitivity.

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."