Tattoos can symbolize a life story. In some cases, tattoos help process traumatic life events, like loss of a family member or close friend. It can also be a personal adventure. Researchers around the world who study human behaviors have been interested in finding out what makes people modify their body.
One of the most common psychological explanations for tattoos is that they are a form of risk-taking behavior. This theory suggests that people who get tattoos are more likely to be impulsive and thrill-seeking. They may also be more likely to take other risks, such as engaging in risky sexual behaviors or using drugs.
A study completed in 2007 in Germany evaluating tattooed and non-tattooed individuals using a Big Five Personality Inventory found that tattooed individuals scored higher on the subscale of extraversion, and lower on the subscale of neuroticism (Wohlrab, 2007).
Participants reported reasons such as “to keep my mother's memory,” “a way of honoring my first child,” and “presented what I was going through at a certain time of my life.” Some participants (12%) also felt that their tattoos were an extension or expression of who they were.
Many people decide to wear tattoos in order to express their artistic nature, their beliefs, or their feelings -- in other words, to show their individuality. A musician in a rock band may get a tattoo of a guitar on the arm. Some environmentalists may tattoo pictures of endangered animals on their shoulders.
Tattooed individuals scored significantly higher in extraversion than their non-tattooed peers, but there were no significant differences in conscientiousness or neuroticism between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals.
Numerous empirical studies have shown that tattoos may be associated with changes in self-esteem [13].
Men were more likely than women to report a tattoo, but the highest rates of tattooing were found among women in their 20s (29.4%). Men and women ages 20-39 were most likely to have been tattooed, as were men with lower levels of education, tradesmen, and women with live-out partners.
Both men and women rated photographs of men with a tattoo as more masculine, dominant and aggressive. But women assessed tattooed men as worse potential partners and parents than men without tattoos—but having a tattoo did not influence men's ratings along these lines.
So many of our users are looking for someone with a bit of body art - it's clearly a turn on for both men and women.” Previous research has also found that women tend to look more favourably on men with tattoos, associating them with “good health, masculinity, aggressiveness and dominance,” according to one study.
When you find it hard to focus and life feels overwhelming, getting any kind of tattoo and feeling the pain from the needle can help to focus your mind on one thing. Many of your other worries melt away in the process. It's a great stress reliever.
Rather than being addicted to the physical chemicals produced in your brain while getting tattooed, you're likely addicted to the behaviour of getting tattooed. The chemicals are adrenaline and endorphins, and while they feel absolutely fantastic, it's pretty rare to have a physical craving for them.
Both men and women agreed that a man with a tattoo looked more masculine, dominant, and aggressive. The researchers concluded that "tattoos may have a dual function: They influence female preference, but also are likely to be important in male-male competition."
Now, according to a new study published in BMC Psychology, tattoos and piercings might be more common among people who endured child abuse and neglect — serving as a “means of coping with previous adversity and be an expression of autonomy.”
On the road to recovery, a tattoo becomes a symbol of progress and can be relied on as a coping mechanism to increase self-esteem and strengthen identity.
Truth: Often, this myth becomes somewhat self-defeatingly circular – having a tattoo is taken as a de facto sign of mental issues. There is no good evidence between tattooing and low (or even high) intelligence among the general population.
Previous research has also found that women tend to look more favourably on men with tattoos, associating them with "good health, masculinity, aggressiveness and dominance,” according to one study.
A university spokesman said: "A sad aspect found by the survey was that 15.64 per cent of women felt judged by their tattoo, compared to just 9.54 per cent of men.
Attraction does matter for women does matter when it comes to sex and while it can be caused by anything from looks to personality traits like sense of humour in a man, a study suggests that men who have tattoos are more preferred by women in bed.
A study of a community sample of women (Reference Romans, Martin and MorrisRomans 1998) found that being tattooed was associated with more psychiatric symptoms, borderline personality characteristics as well as increased alcohol use. Childhood sexual abuse was reported more often in women with tattoos.
As the frequency of the percentage of tattoos on the body increases, the borderline, narcissistic and antisocial symptoms worsen. The clinical interview and anamnestic reconstruction reveal very clear and sharp personality profiles [14-47].
A new study has discovered that people with tattoos were more likely to be diagnosed with mental health issues and to report sleep problems. Researchers also found that people who had tattoos were more likely to be smokers, to have spent time in jail, and to have a higher number of sex partners in the past year.
In the US, a survey of 2395 students found four or more tattoo survey respondents had significantly higher self-esteem than those with less tattoos. The survey results found this to be especially true of those who had indicated a history of depression.
For anxiety, someone may get a tattoo to remind them to stay grounded or to stay focused. This could be because it's common for those with anxiety to face challenges related to concentration, focus, or feeling grounded. Someone may also get a tattoo to remind themselves to use self care or to symbolize self care.
While it's impossible to confirm whether a spouse will be unfaithful, new research from an extramarital dating website says there is one physical trait that suggests someone may stray: tattoos.