Modifying the body: motivations for getting tattooed and pierced.
Body modifications have been prevalent for centuries and are practiced for a great variety of reasons. Lately, tattoos and body piercings have become increasingly popular. Thus, a profound understanding of the underlying motivations behind obtaining tattoos and body piercings nowadays is required. A considerable body of research on motivational aspects already exists, mainly using explorative approaches to describe motivations. In this paper we provide a review of the existing relevant literature. Furthermore, we establish ten broad motivational categories, comprising motivations for getting tattooed and body pierced, for reference in future research.
Wohlrab
Silke
S
Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Goettingen, Berliner Strasse 28, 37073 Goettingen, Germany. swohlra@gwdg.de
Stahl
Jutta
J
Kappeler
Peter M
PM
D001154:Art; D001504:Beauty; D001828:Body Image; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D009042:Motivation; D010550:Personal Space; D012925:Social Conformity; D012933:Social Identification; D013653:Tattooing / Q000523:psychology*