Personality Differences between Tattooed and Non-Tattooed Individuals

Abstract

This study examined differences between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals on a range of personality and individual difference measures. A community sample of 540 individuals from the southern German-speaking area of central Europe completed a survey consisting of measures of the Big Five personality factors, Need for Uniqueness, Self-esteem, sensation seeking, Religious and Spiritual Beliefs, Attitudes Toward Tattoos, tattoo possession, and demographics. Preliminary analyses showed that 22% of the total sample possessed at least one tattoo. Further analyses showed that, compared with non-tattooed (n = 420) individuals, tattooed participants (n = 120) had significantly higher scores on Extraversion, Experience Seeking, Need for Uniqueness, and held more positive Attitudes Toward Tattoos, although effect sizes of these group differences were generally small- to medium-sized. These results are considered in relation to the contemporary prevalence of tattoos in socioeconomically developed societies.

Changes in Aesthetic Appeal of Tattoos Are Influenced by the Attractiveness of Female Models

“…Similar results indicate several key attributes is likely to be found in tattooed individuals: greater alcoholic tendencies (Guéguen, 2012a), earlier onset of sexual activity (Nowosielski, Sipiński, Kuczerawy, Kozłowska-Rup, & Skrzypulec-Plinta, 2012;Guéguen, 2012b), and increased extraversion and experience-seeking characteristics (Swami, Pietschnig, Bertl, Nader, Stieger, & Voracek, 2012). Further extant research indicates an increase in deviant behavior among tattooed adolescents (Roberts & Ryan, 2002), and this deviancy continues into college, although there is no link between tattoos and school performance (Horne, 2007;Martin & Dula, 2010).…”

Users of the main smartphone operating systems (iOS, Android) differ only little in personality

“…Aside from the said GESIS measures (i.e., optimism, pessimism, risk proneness), which have been validated extensively on large, stratified German samples, it was ensured that the German versions of our instruments had been translated by professionals and repeatedly used in previous studies so that their appropriateness and precision could be taken for granted (see [74] for Mini-IPIP, see [42] for well-being). The only exceptions were the Dirty Dozen and the SISE.…”

Tattoos and Penalty Success at the FIFA World Cup 2018

“…Visible tattoos may be of interest in this context for two reasons. Firstly, numerous publications have identified personality differences between tattooed and non-tattooed people [1][2][3][4][5][6], and these personality traits could affect the penalty taker's performance. Secondly, tattoos could possibly underline a dominant, self-confident appearance of the penalty taker, which could subconsciously intimidate the goalkeeper, like a modern "war paint."…”

“…Spectators were able to witness this continuing trend during the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Epidemiological studies have indicated that tattooed people are more risk-taking, extraverted and aggressive, but also more anxious and depressive than non-tattooed people [1][2][3][4][5][6]. It is unknown whether such personality traits reported in tattooed non-athlete populations may also apply to professional footballers, and if so whether this may have an impact on penalty success or not.…”