Do Body Tattoos Tell Us Anything about Personality - Coursework Example

Do body tattoos tell us anything about personality? (Name) (College/University) (Course) (Date) Abstract The present study aimed to determine if there are significant differences in personality factors and attitudes towards tattoos between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals using an Australian sample. The study replicated the German study conducted by Swani, et al. (2012) which suggested differences in personality and attitudes between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals. The researchers of this study predicted that there will be a significant difference in personality factors between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals. It was further predicted that tattooed individuals will have higher scores in terms of personality traits and have more supportive attitudes towards tattoos. Using an Australian sample of 283 participants who were tasked to complete questionnaires assessing personality factors, self-esteem, sensation seeking, and attitudes to tattoos, the results of the study showed that there are no differences in personality factors between tattooed and non-tattooed participants. On the other hand, tattooed participants were found to have more positive attitudes towards tattoos than non-tattooed participants. The findings of this study imply the use of caution when relating tattooing to psychological variables such as personality. Introduction Among many Western nations, tattoos have become part of mainstream culture[Swa12]. This type of body modification in the American culture, for example, has been commonly used for cosmetic purposes, while some, although not significantly many, use it for branding[Tat08]. Swani, et al. (2012) conducted a study that aimed to investigate the differences between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals in terms of personality using a German sample composed of 540 individuals. The participants were measured in terms of the big five personality factors, self-esteem, sensation seeking, spiritual beliefs, need for uniqueness, and attitudes towards tattoos. The results of the study showed that tattooed participants had higher scores in terms of experience seeking, need for uniqueness, and extraversion. They were also found to have more positive attitudes towards tattoos. However, effect sizes were found to be small to medium. Swani, et al.’s (2012) findings appear to support the earlier studies conducted by Tate and Shelton (2008), and Wohlrab, Stahl, Rammsayer, and Kappeler (2007) on tattooing and personality. However, Tate and Shelton also highlighted small amounts of variance in these comparisons. The present study aimed to investigate the difference in personality factors and attitudes to tattoos between tattooed and non-tattooed participants in Australia by replicating the study conducted by Swani, et al. (2012). The researchers of this study predicted that there will be a significant difference in personality factors between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals. It was further predicted that tattooed individuals will have higher scores in terms of personality traits and have more supportive attitudes towards tattoos. Method Participants A sample composed of 283 Australian individuals were included in the study, composed of 61 males and 222 females. The participants had an age range of 18 to 67 years, with a mean age of 32.71 years (SD = 11.14). Ninety-five (33.6%) had tattoos on them while 53 had two or more tattoos. Among the 176 participants who reported to have had children, 87% of those with tattoos supported their children getting tattoos, while 47% of those without tattoos supported their children getting tattoos. In terms of years of education, 82 of the participants completed a high school certificate equivalent to 12 years, 73 completed a TAFE certificate or diploma, 72 completed a bachelor’s degree, 27 completed a master’s degree, 16 were able to complete a post-graduate diploma, seven completed a 10-year high school diploma, five completed a doctorate degree, while one participant did not complete high school. Materials The study made use of measures in order to assess personality, sensation seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes towards tattoos. Specifically, the following assessment tools were used: Big Five Inventory (BFI; John, Donahue, & Kentle, 1991; John & Srivastava, 1999). The BFI is a 44-item questionnaire which assesses: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Each item is answered using a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Participants’ mean scores for items in each of the five subscales (ranging from 1 to 5) were used in subsequent analyses. Reliability analysis on the BFI show Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from .77 to .85 (neuroticism = .85; extraversion = .84; openness = .79; agreeableness = .77; conscientiousness = .82). Sensation-Seeking Scale (Zuckerman, Eysenck & Eysenck, 1978). The sensation-seeking scale is composed of 40 dichotomous items. Participants instructed to select the option which most describes their likes or the way they feel. Total scores range from 0 to 40 and are used in subsequent analyses. The scale is reliable at Cronbach’s alpha of .82. Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). The scale features a 10-item questionnaire which aims to assess self-esteem using a 4-point scale from 0 (strongly disagree) to 3 (strongly agree). The scale is scored by getting the sum of all the responses and ranges from 0 to 30. The strong reliability of the scale is found at a Cronbach’s alpha of .92. Attitudes to Tattoos. This questionnaire was developed specifically for this study. The tool is composed of 8 semantic differential (bipolar) items (e.g., beautiful – ugly; socially acceptable ‐ socially unacceptable) and are answered using a scale of 1 to 7. Scoring is done by computing for the mean of the items which ranges from 1 to 7. A higher score would indicate greater dislike of tattoos. The tool is found to be reliable with a Cronbach’s alpha value of .81. Procedure Research participants were recruited and were asked to complete a questionnaire composed of the four assessment tools. The participants in the study were instructed that participation in the study voluntary and that their identities will be kept anonymous. After the participants completed the questionnaire, they were briefed with regards to the full details of the study. The data gathered were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. Results Research participants were asked to complete a questionnaire containing measures for the big five personality factors, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes towards tattoos. This was done for the purpose of investigating whether those who have tattoos have different traits (personality traits, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes towards tattoos) as compared to those who have tattoos. The results of the study show that among participants with tattoos, personality traits, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes towards tattoos raged from a mean score of 3.00 to 19.68. The participants scored the highest in terms of self-esteem (M = 19.68, SD = 5.60) and scored lowest in terms of attitudes to tattoos (M = 3.00, SD = 0.80). Among participants with no tattoos, mean scores range from 2.92 to 19.97. The participants with no tattoos scored highest in terms of self-esteem (M = 19.97, SD = 5.45) and lowest in terms of neuroticism (M = 2.92, SD = 0.69). Table one shows the results of the study. Table 1 Mean differences and independent sample t-tests on personality, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes to tattoos between participants with and without tattoos. Tattoos (n = 95) No Tattoos (n = 18) Test for Difference M SD M SD Extraversion 3.26 0.67 3.21 0.67 t(281) = 0.63, p = 0.53 Agreeableness 3.70 0.60 3.76 0.49 t(281) = -0.86, p = 0.41 Conscientiousness 3.66 0.54 3.70 0.58 t(281) = 0.59, p = 0.56 Neuroticism 3.04 0.69 2.92 0.69 t(281) = 1.34, p = 0.18 Openness 3.56 0.52 3.55 0.55 t(281) = 0.04, p = 0.97 Sensation-Seeking 19.16 6.46 17.78 6.48 t(281) = 1.69, p = 0.09 Self-Esteem 19.68 5.60 19.97 5.45 t(281) = -0.41, p = 0.68 Attitude to Tattoos 3.00 0.80 3.88 1.05 t(281) = -7.15, p = 0.001 The results of the series of independent sample t-tests show that there is no significant difference in personality traits, sensation-seeking, and self-esteem between participants with tattoos and participants with no tattoos. On the other hand, the results also show that there is a significant difference between with tattoo and no tattoo participants in terms of attitudes to tattoos, t (281) = -7.15, p = 0.001. These results supported the hypothesis that attitudes to tattoos would be different between those with tattoos and those without tattoos. Discussion This study aimed to determine whether there is a significant difference in personality factors and attitudes to tattoos between tattooed and non-tattooed participants. After conducting independent sample t-tests, the results showed that there is no significant difference in personality factors between tattooed and non-tattooed participants. These findings do not support the first research hypothesis of this study and findings of previous studies conducted on the topic (Swami, et al., 2012; Tate & Sheldon, 2008; Wohlrab, Stahl, Rammsayer, & Kappeler, 2007). On the other hand, the findings did support the second hypothesis as tattooed participants were found to have more tattoo supportive attitudes than non-tattooed participants. These findings suggest significant implications to the psychology practice as more caution should be observed when linking body modifications to personality. The results of the study may have also been affected by the wide differences in demographic variables of the participants such as children, educational attainment, and age. On the other hand, it is also important to consider that Swami, et al., (2012) and Tate and Sheldon (2008) did mention that although their result were statisticaly significant, effect sizes were small – a finding which may have also been existent in this study. References Swa12: , (Swami, et al., 2012), Tat08: , (Tate & Sheldon, 2008), Read More

The present study aimed to investigate the difference in personality factors and attitudes to tattoos between tattooed and non-tattooed participants in Australia by replicating the study conducted by Swani, et al. (2012). The researchers of this study predicted that there will be a significant difference in personality factors between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals. It was further predicted that tattooed individuals will have higher scores in terms of personality traits and have more supportive attitudes towards tattoos.

Method Participants A sample composed of 283 Australian individuals were included in the study, composed of 61 males and 222 females. The participants had an age range of 18 to 67 years, with a mean age of 32.71 years (SD = 11.14). Ninety-five (33.6%) had tattoos on them while 53 had two or more tattoos. Among the 176 participants who reported to have had children, 87% of those with tattoos supported their children getting tattoos, while 47% of those without tattoos supported their children getting tattoos.

In terms of years of education, 82 of the participants completed a high school certificate equivalent to 12 years, 73 completed a TAFE certificate or diploma, 72 completed a bachelor’s degree, 27 completed a master’s degree, 16 were able to complete a post-graduate diploma, seven completed a 10-year high school diploma, five completed a doctorate degree, while one participant did not complete high school. Materials The study made use of measures in order to assess personality, sensation seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes towards tattoos.

Specifically, the following assessment tools were used: Big Five Inventory (BFI; John, Donahue, & Kentle, 1991; John & Srivastava, 1999). The BFI is a 44-item questionnaire which assesses: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Each item is answered using a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Participants’ mean scores for items in each of the five subscales (ranging from 1 to 5) were used in subsequent analyses.

Reliability analysis on the BFI show Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from .77 to .85 (neuroticism = .85; extraversion = .84; openness = .79; agreeableness = .77; conscientiousness = .82). Sensation-Seeking Scale (Zuckerman, Eysenck & Eysenck, 1978). The sensation-seeking scale is composed of 40 dichotomous items. Participants instructed to select the option which most describes their likes or the way they feel. Total scores range from 0 to 40 and are used in subsequent analyses. The scale is reliable at Cronbach’s alpha of .82. Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965).

The scale features a 10-item questionnaire which aims to assess self-esteem using a 4-point scale from 0 (strongly disagree) to 3 (strongly agree). The scale is scored by getting the sum of all the responses and ranges from 0 to 30. The strong reliability of the scale is found at a Cronbach’s alpha of .92. Attitudes to Tattoos. This questionnaire was developed specifically for this study. The tool is composed of 8 semantic differential (bipolar) items (e.g., beautiful – ugly; socially acceptable ‐ socially unacceptable) and are answered using a scale of 1 to 7.

Scoring is done by computing for the mean of the items which ranges from 1 to 7. A higher score would indicate greater dislike of tattoos. The tool is found to be reliable with a Cronbach’s alpha value of .81. Procedure Research participants were recruited and were asked to complete a questionnaire composed of the four assessment tools. The participants in the study were instructed that participation in the study voluntary and that their identities will be kept anonymous. After the participants completed the questionnaire, they were briefed with regards to the full details of the study.

The data gathered were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. Results Research participants were asked to complete a questionnaire containing measures for the big five personality factors, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, and attitudes towards tattoos.

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