Extroversion And Introversion Theory

Research in personality traits and tattoos has largely focused on the college population and compares body modified individuals to non-modified individuals. Much of it suggests that individuals with tattoos are more likely to display higher levels of extraversion. (Copes & Forthsyth 1993, Swami 2012a, swami 2012 b)

Eysenck & Eysenck’s (1967) work in personality proposes that extroversion and introversion are products of cortical arousal. Those with high cortical arousal (introverts) are more sensitive to external stimuli and therefore seek to avoid high amounts of it. While those with low cortical arousal (extroverts) are more likely to seek this through social stimulation. When applying this theory to people with tattoos, they are more likely to be extraverted and need to increase their levels of stimulation by drawing attention to themselves.
Copes & Forthsyth (1993) provided support for the social stimulation theory of tattoos in their study on 143 male college students.
Participants were divided into four groups. Results showed males with readily visible tattoos had the highest percentage of extroverts (77.3%), followed by the hidden tattoos group which had 42.4%, while those considering having a tattoo were 32.3% and those with no tattoo were only 13.9% extroverted. Findings supported the view that people with tattoos were more likely to be extroverted than introverted, also the idea that individuals with visible tattoos are more likely to be extraverted and have a higher need for social stimulation. However this study neglects the risings amount of women with
tattoos.

Other studies have reported no such findings in regards to the association between extraversion and tattoos, Forbes (2001) reported no significant differences between college student with body modifications and those without on the big five factors of personality. Although students without body modifications perceived students with them as much more different to themselves on such measures. Similarly in another college sample Tate and Shelton (2008) found no significant differences between students with or without tattoos in measures of extraversion. However there was a significant difference in measures of conscientiousness and agreeableness. In support of this Swami (2012) found lower levels of conscientiousness, while Wohlrab, Stahl, Rammsayer, and Kappeler (2007) reported lower scores on agreeableness.

In order to overcome some of the limitations of others studies, including research from solely a college sample and research not distinguishing between heavily and lightly modified people, Swami (2012) study compared 136 British adults who did and did not obtain their first tattoo. As all of the participants in this study at least contemplated the idea of obtaining a tattoo and it was their first tattoo, the sample could be viewed as more appropriate to compare than non- tattooed individuals. In this study participants who did decide to make an appointment for their tattoo and those who left without making one were compared on several facets of personality including the big five factors, results showed that those who did obtain a tattoo were more likely to be extraverted.