Differences Among Behavioral Variables,Personal Characteristics,and Personality Scores of Tattooed and Nontattooed Prison Inmates

Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain differences among be havioral variables, personal characteristics, and personality scores of 101 tattooed and 70 nontattooed inmates at the Utah State Prison. It was found that tattooed inmates had significantly more psychic pain, family discord, self-degradation, social deviancy, impulsiveness, hostility, and depression than nontattooed inmates. The tattooed had lower intelligence quotients, had completed fewer grades in school, and had been involved in more prison rule infractions than the nontattooed inmates. They were more likely to be married, to violate their parole, to have juvenile records, and to misuse drugs.