2026 Research in the Capitol
Presentation Type
Open Access Poster Presentation
Abstract
Thirty-two percent of Americans have at least one tattoo (Schaeffer, K., 2023), up from 16% about twenty years earlier (Harris Poll, 2003). Despite this growing popularity, tattooed individuals are still viewed more negatively than those without tattoos. People with tattoos are perceived as being less inhibited, less competent, having worse character, less sociable, and more sexually promiscuous (Broussard & Harton, 2018). Tattoos are also one of the few physical characteristics that can be legally discriminated against in workplaces. Fewer than 30% of employers in beauty, hospitality, and office sectors are willing to hire someone with a tattoo. (Zestcott et al., 2017). Little research has addressed correlates of these negative attitudes to try to understand the sources of this bias. Worldview conflict, perceived threat, obedience to authority, and agreeableness are consistent predictors of many types of prejudice (Brandt & Crawford, 2019). In this study, I will examine the extent to which these and other factors are related to prejudice toward people with tattoos.
Start Date
9-3-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
9-3-2026 1:30 PM
Event Host
University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities
Faculty Advisor
Helen Harton
Department
Department of Psychology
Copyright
©2026 Jordan Smith & Helen Harton
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Smith, Jordan and Harton, Helen C., "Predictors of Prejudice towards People with Tattoos" (2026). Research in the Capitol. 12.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/rcapitol/2026/all/12
Predictors of Prejudice towards People with Tattoos
Thirty-two percent of Americans have at least one tattoo (Schaeffer, K., 2023), up from 16% about twenty years earlier (Harris Poll, 2003). Despite this growing popularity, tattooed individuals are still viewed more negatively than those without tattoos. People with tattoos are perceived as being less inhibited, less competent, having worse character, less sociable, and more sexually promiscuous (Broussard & Harton, 2018). Tattoos are also one of the few physical characteristics that can be legally discriminated against in workplaces. Fewer than 30% of employers in beauty, hospitality, and office sectors are willing to hire someone with a tattoo. (Zestcott et al., 2017). Little research has addressed correlates of these negative attitudes to try to understand the sources of this bias. Worldview conflict, perceived threat, obedience to authority, and agreeableness are consistent predictors of many types of prejudice (Brandt & Crawford, 2019). In this study, I will examine the extent to which these and other factors are related to prejudice toward people with tattoos.
