The Communicative Value of Tattoos: The Role of Public Self-Consciousness on Tattoo Visibility

Abstract

Using impression management principles, the communicative value of tattoos was investigated. The extent to which tattooed individuals will report using their tattoos to communicate to others, the relation between communicative value and tattoo visibility, and the association between public self-consciousness and tattoo visibility was examined. Tattoo shop patrons and undergraduate students completed a survey about their tattoos. The results indicated that tattoos were viewed as somewhat communicative, and as the communicative value of the tattoo increased, the tattoo visibility increased. In addition, as public self-consciousness increased, tattoo visibility decreased when tattooed individuals thought that others would evaluate them negatively. The findings indicate that concerns about minimizing disapproval govern impression management of tattooed individuals.

Keywords:

• Communication Potential
• Impression Management
• Public Self-Consciousness
• Tattoos

This manuscript originated as a part of Kathleen Doss's master's thesis, directed by Amy S. Ebesu.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kathleen Doss

Kathleen Doss (MA, University of Hawai‘i, 2005) is a lecturer at Portland Community College.

Amy S. Ebesu Hubbard

Amy S. Ebesu Hubbard (PhD, University of Arizona, 1996) is an associate professor in the Department of Speech at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.