We make tattoos for a variety of reasons – we can not explain them to everyone. Meanwhile, those around the tattoo are associated with certain traits of character, level of education and social status.
1. Women with tattoos are considered less attractive. This conclusion was made by British scientists Viren Swami and Adrian Furham (Viren Swami, Adrian Furham). During the study*, male and female students were shown different images of young women in swimsuits – some had a tattoo near their pubis, others on their upper arms, still others in both places, and still others had no tattoos. Participants were then asked to rate the woman on three dimensions: 1) Physical attractiveness, 2) Moral stability, 3) Alcohol use. Tattooed women were rated as less attractive, less mentally stable, and more likely to drink alcohol. The difference was especially pronounced if the woman had two tattoos.
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2. People with tattoos are considered less educated., psychologists John Seiter and Sarah Hatch from the University of Utah, USA found out during the study. If a person wants to make their appearance unusual with the help of a tattoo, to express their desire for individuality, it is natural that people with tattoos are perceived as more introverted and having less developed social skills**. The lower level of knowledge that observers attribute to tattoo wearers seems to be combined in their perception with the first two characteristics.
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3. A female teacher with a tattoo is rated by students as a more creative person. Psychologist David Wiseman of Brookdale College, New Jersey, USA, showed study participants photographs of the same young woman***. On them she had one, then two, then not a single tattoo. The students were told that this was a new teacher and asked to read the laudatory review about her from the face of the fictional head of the department. In it, she was called competent, progressive, open to pedagogical innovations. After reading the review, students were asked to evaluate it according to the following parameters: motivation, organization, receptivity, creative approach to teaching. The “teacher” with two tattoos received the most positive feedback. It can be assumed that if the tattoo wearer is “removed” of the accusation of low education, the rest of the characteristics change their sign from minus to plus: antisociality turns into a bright individuality, protest – into creativity.
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4. Candidates with tattoos are not wanted for qualified jobs. Especially in trade, tourism and beauty industries. These results were obtained in his study **** Australian dermatologist Philip Bekhor (Philip Bekhor). He reproduced the situation of hiring and evaluating candidates and found that employers act under the influence of stereotypes: a tattoo for them means a penchant for adventure and fights. Therefore, its presence negatively affects the chances of taking the place of a qualified worker. And even if the boss himself also has a tattoo, notes Andrew Timming, who conducted a similar study*****, from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
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5. A tattoo is an advantage for military candidates. Tattooed guards are easier to deal with, prison staff manager told Andrew Timming. But when applying for a job in the construction sector, as well as for the position of workers, a tattoo does not matter.
* psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2007-16714-002
** amsciepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pr0.96.3c.1113-1120
*** libguides.brookdalecc.edu/content.php?pid=561004&sid=4624468
**** drphilipbekhor.com.au/
***** bbc.com/news/magazine-28758900
“I have never had problems with work because of the tattoo,” says professor Bruce Potts, a public speaking teacher from the University of New Mexico, whose face is completely covered in a bright African tattoo. “Success depends on how a person presents himself as a whole, and not just on how he looks.”