Tattoos can harm perceptions: a study and suggestions.
OBJECTIVE
Health researchers have claimed that perceptions toward a person with a tattoo are more negative than are perceptions toward nontattooed persons. However, support for this has been obtained almost completely by nonexperimental research.


METHODS
In 2 experiments with 158 community college student participants, the authors found that tattoos harmed perceptions.


METHODS
Students viewed a photograph of a female model with and without a visible tattoo, and rated her on 13 personal characteristics.


RESULTS
In Experiment 1, ratings of a model with a dragon tattoo were significantly more negative (p < .05) on 5 of the 13 personal characteristics than were ratings of the same model shown without the tattoo. In Experiment 2, which included different participants, a different model, and a different tattoo, the authors found that a dolphin tattoo led to more negative ratings on 2 of the 13 characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors discuss possible impacts of tattoos on person perception as well as implications of the results for college student healthcare providers.
Resenhoeft
Annette
A
Psychology Department, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ 07738, USA.
Villa
Julie
J
Wiseman
David
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011287:Prejudice; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities