Summary: Tattoos Can Harm Perceptions

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Annette Resenhoeft BA, Julie Villa RN & David Wiseman PhD (2008) Tattoos Can Harm Perceptions: A Study and Suggestions, Journal of American College Health, 56:5, 593-596, DOI: 10.3200/JACH.56.5.593-596

The authors, health researchers: Dr. Wiseman, Ms. Villa, and Ms. Resenhoeft, conducted two experiments to examine different perceptions regarding tattooed individuals and what these perceptions represented for college student healthcare providers. Their belief was that a person who has tattoos receives a harsher perception than a person who doesn’t. The results of both of their experiments supported their hypothesis. In experiment 1, the people who received a photo of a woman without a tattoo was regarded as more athletic,

Miller, Kay McGlashan Nicols, and Jack Eure, use their research and a two-by-two scenario-based experiment to show the correlation with the appearance of and individual and the “presence or absence of face-to-face” contact employees have with customers. The authors mention the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that focuses against unfair discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in all workplace decisions. They then describe certain cases that have to deal with topics such as wearing piercings at the work place and having tattoos in visible areas. They also mention how the act of getting tattoos is no longer rare, and most Americans have a tattoo or have had a piercing by the time they hit a certain age. The article does bring up that even though more Americans are open to the idea of tattoos, they aren’t as understanding when it comes to accepting tattoos in the workplace. The authors mention how even some managers themselves have tattoos but they would still think poorly of someone with visible body art. According to the article, most workplaces have the authority to ask for their employees to have no visible piercings or art if it intervenes with the job

Professional appearance particularly in social work in this article seems to be the main conflict. Many social workers are asked to cover their tattoos if the way they look is not considered conventional and bothers the clients or coworkers. The article then goes on to talk about research done on the prevalence of tattoos in America and what groups in our society are more likely to get tattoos. The article concludes by stating that even though it’s important to be considerate of other people’s perceptions, professional appearance is still ethical and necessary to be a successful