Tattoos, Piercings, and Academic Success
Student Name
Mentor Name, Department
Introduction
Abstract
Results
Until recently, tattoos and piercings were not popular
in most of society. A commonly held view was that people
who had tattoos were either in the military or were
criminals. Further, there was a stereotype that tattoos and
piercings were associated with the bottom half of society.
This stereotype is changing. Nevertheless, many people still
think negatively of tattoos. In 2001, a study by Forbes
concluded that people with tattoos did not vary significantly
from those without tattoos on factors related to childhood
and family experiences, and they also scored similarly to
individuals without tattoos on the Big Five personality
characteristics. In this same study, however, it was shown
that people without tattoos believed that they varied greatly
from those with tattoos. In fact, some differences are
commonly reported in the literature. For instance, several
studies have found a link between body art and a more
adventurous personality (Stirn, Hinz, & Brahler, 2006).
Burger and Finkle (2002) also reported a positive
correlation between body modification and engaging in
very high-risk activities. However, surprisingly little
research has been conducted examining a possible
relationship between tattoos, piercings, and academic
success.
This study examined whether there is a
relationship between the number and
location of tattoos and piercings, and
college students’ academic success.
Participants were recruited from Buffalo
State College courses and asked to fill out
a short questionnaire. Results showed no
relationship between the number of tattoos
and GPA. However, results did show a
positive relationship between the number
of reported tattoos and piercings. In
addition, there was a negative relationship
between the number of piercings and
GPA.
A significant positive correlation was found between the
number of piercings and the number of tattoos (r (140) =
0.246, p< 0.01).
No significant relationship was found between the
number of tattoos and GPA (r (141) = -0.079, p = 0.352).
We also found a significant negative correlation
between the number of piercings and GPA (r (140) = -0.180,
p< 0.05).
Finally, a relationship was found between gender and
the number of piercings (r (140) = 0.218, p< 0.01).
Research Question
Methods
Participants
One hundred forty one Buffalo State
College students, 114 females and 28
males, were recruited to participate in the
current study.
Materials and Procedure
The aim of the current study was to examine whether
there are relationships between tattoos, piercings, and
academic success. We predicted that individuals with more
tattoos would also have more piercings. We also predicted
that the more piercings and/or tattoos an individual had, the
lower their GPA would be.
Participants were asked to fill out a short
questionnaire which included questions
regarding the number and location of
tattoos and piercings, academic
performance, as well as a number of other
factors.
Discussion
As predicted, a positive correlation was found between
the number of tattoos and the number of body piercings. As
one might expect, an increase in one form of body
modification appears to be related to an increase in other
forms. In addition, results showed a larger number of
piercings in females than in males.
Also, as predicted, a negative correlation was found
between the number of piercings and GPA. Thus, an
increased number of piercings is a predictor of a lack of
academic success. However, we did not find a significant
relationship between the
number of tattoos and GPA.
This may be a reflection that
tattoos have become common
in society and that they are
more accepted than piercings
in the college setting.