Psychology

The tattoo or any other form of body modification has always fascinated people in many cultures. The fact that particular individuals within a given culture find it desirable to obtain such body modification while others do not guide as to the conclusion that there are particular element or elements that make it desirable. From a general perspective, tattooing appears to be a sub-cultural practice that can be found in any social category instead of being a uniformly characteristic of the entire society (Miffin, 2001).

Humans have practiced body modification for thousands of years. It has evolved from a practice that was considered a taboo to a widely accepted practice. Even though tattoos have been considered as a sign of deviance, the past three decades have witnessed their infiltration in the mainstream culture. Today, many individuals are using their bodies as a surface for expressing their personal identity (Caplan 2000). Report indicates that about 25 percent of individuals aged between 15 to 25 have tattoos (Geif, Hewitt  Armstrong, 1999).

Literature Review
Despite the wide acceptance of tattoos, individuals who opt to tattoo their bodies are often victims of stereotypes. A survey indicates that employers are less likely to hire people with visible tattoos (Garza, 2001). This is because tattoos are most commonly associated with risky behavior, deviance or rebellion.  Other surveys have also reported correlation between tattoos and involvement with risky behavior (Hewitt, 1997 DeMello, 1995). Tattoos have also been linked with drug use (Drews, Allison  Probst, 2000). Studies that particularly looked at behavioral and self concept differences between individuals who have tattoos and those who did not have them reported that tattoos were to some extent related with risky behavior (Forbes, 2001). Males in particular are likely to have multiple sexual partners and to have been involved with the criminal justice system while females were more likely to have used drugs or engaged in criminal behavior.

Research Problem
This paper proposes to investigate the view that tattoo or tattoos can be indicative of the presence of personality disorder which may result in, or associated with behavior that deviates from the accepted social norms. The importance of establishing a correlation between the presence of tattoo and personality disorder cannot be contested in the sense that it could be an easily discernible symbol of predisposition toward such conduct. However, this does not imply that the presence of tattoo is a symbol of atavism. Instead, tattoo may suggest the presence of personality disorder which manifested itself in the tattoo and which could again emerge in socially deviant behavior.

Research Questions
This research aims at answering this question Are students who have tattoos extreme in their behaviors and personality.

Participants
Participants in this study will be chosen from a sample of students at the college. All participants will be volunteers. The department will be informed on the study so as to have the colleges approval.
This study will use informed consent forms that have information concerning the procedures, the consequences of participation, information on how to obtain the results, and voluntary participation. The aim of the study and self compiled survey will also be included on the consent form.

The survey will be a Likert scale with 15 adjective pairs. The participants will be asked to choose a number along the scale that describes them or their preferences closely. The Likert scale will be the preferred survey method since it will enable the participants to provide more expansive feedback that can be easily quantified. Each response will be translated into a numerical value to be used in statistical analysis.

The data will be analyzed using t-test.
Design and procedure
Since the study assesses the relationship between tattoos and personality the design will be correlational and non-experimental.  Tattoos and personality will be the variables.

The participants will be asked on arrival to sign two informed consent forms. The researcher and the participant will keep a copy of the consent form each.

Appendix
Survey Questions
Thank you for agreeing to take this survey. Please answer all questions.
Do you have a tattoo
If yes, how many tattoos do you have
Where is the tattoo located
Demographic information
What is your age
What year are you
What is your major
What is your sex
What is your ethnic background
Listed below is a set of 15 adjective pairs.  For each, select the number along the scale that most closely describes you or your preferences.

1. Quiet 1 2 3 4 5 Talkative
2. Tolerant 1 2 3 4 5 Critical
3. Disorganized 1 2 3 4 5 Organized
4. Tense 1 2 3 4 5 Calm
5. Imaginative 1 2 3 4 5 Conventional
6. Reserved 1 2 3 4 5 Outgoing
7. Uncooperative1 2 3 4 5 Cooperative
8.Unreliable 1 2 3 4 5 Dependable
9. Insecure 1 2 3 4 5 Secure
10. New 1 2 3 4 5 Familiar
11. Sociable 1 2 3 4 5 Loner
12. Suspicious 1 2 3 4 5 Trusting
13. Undirected 1 2 3 4 5 Goal-oriented
14. Enthusiastic 1 2 3 4 5 Depressed
15. Change 1 2 3 4 5 Status Quo