Psychology Department

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Ateneo de Naga University

______________________________________________________________________________

Perception towards Tattoo Survey (PTS)

Prepared by:

Laishelle Anne B. Hernandez

Naomi Shimokawa

(December 2016)
A. Description of the Test

Perception, according to Angell (1905), is being aware of the information around us and

making sense out of it. People encounter different kinds of stimuli every day. In order to interpret

these stimuli, it undergoes perceptual process (Boundless, 2016). In perceptual process, a

stimulus is selected from the environment, followed by organizing the information, and lastly by

interpreting it.

Tattoo is a trend that has become more popular these days according to Kjeldgaard and

Bengtsson (2005). There are positive and negative perceptions about tattoos. Some perceive

tattoos as a way of expressing themselves, establishing the uniqueness of a person, and depicting

memorable experiences or people (Atik & Yildirim, 2014; Dickson, Dukes, Smith & Strapko,

2015). Others view it as a risk on health or on impression (Seiter & Hatch, 2005). Aside from

that, tattooed individuals are perceived more negatively than non-tattooed people in terms of

appearance and personality traits according to Resenhoeft, Villa, and Wiseman (2008).

The tattoo perception of a person may have an effect in the way he/she interacts with

tattooed people. According to Lim, Ting, Leo and Jayanthy (2013), tattoo is still associated with

gangsters and/or criminals that it makes some people uncomfortable around tattooed people.

With these, the Perception towards Tattoo Survey or PTS was constructed to identify an

individuals perception towards tattoo.

There are two areas in this survey, positive tattoo perception and stigma or negative

tattoo perception. Under positive tattoo perception, there are three components: aesthetic, symbol

for an event, person, or religion, and self-expression. On the other hand, negative tattoo

perception has two components: deviance and discomfort.

 The survey is consisted of 20 items and can be taken by anyone (eg. students, teachers,

employees, etc.). In relation to this, the test administrator can use the results to identify if the

person has a positive perception or stigma towards tattoo.

B. Test Administration Guide (This section is optional. You may not include this in your

draft)

A Psychometrician or anyone who is trained in testing can administer this survey

questionnaire. He or she must be knowledgeable enough to properly conduct the survey. Anyone

who has Level A competence can interpret the results. There is only one form of this survey

questionnaire. It can be taken by students, teachers, employees, etc.

Before beginning, the test administrator(s) will give introduction and reminders to those

who will take the survey. Consent form will be given alongside the survey questionnaire. The

test administrator(s) will ask if there are questions or need to clarify and will answer it. No

questions will be entertained once the test starts.

There is no time limit in taking the survey but it can be finished in approximately five to

10 minutes. The test administrators will collect the survey questionnaires and consent forms once

the test-takers have finished answering it. Debriefing will follow.

C. Scoring and Interpretation

The 20-item survey will be assessed and scored through Likert Scale. There are four

options in which the test takers can choose from: strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly

disagree. Each answer has an equivalent score. Oo na oo has 4 points, Oo has 3 points, Hindi has

2 points, while Hindi na hindi has 1 point. However, some items are reversed scored: 4, 5, 12,
15, 18, and 19. The scores will be added and the final score will determine the individuals

attitude towards tattoo.

Individuals who scored 20 to 40 have a negative tattoo perception or stigma towards

tattoo. They may perceive tattoos as a deviant act. They could also feel discomfort around

tattooed people since the former may think negatively of tattooed people or may be afraid of

being associated with them. This can affect the way they interact with tattooed people. It could

be through avoiding them or showing disapproval of tattoos.

Those who scored 41 to 60 may perceive tattoos with both positivity and negativity. They

may agree or disagree on some statements about tattoo. For example, they may see tattoo as an

art form, but in sense that it violates some social norms. They may also admire tattoos, but do not

like the idea of having one.

Individuals who have a score of 61 to 80 have a positive tattoo perception. This means

that they may see tattoos as an art, symbols for a significant memory, and/or self-expression.

They may think that tattoos can beautify the body. Tattoos for them may also represent

something like a memorable event or an important person. They may also think that tattoos can

be a way of showing their faith. They may also think that a person can express their self through

tattoos. All of these may reflect on the way they interact with tattooed people.

D. Content Validation

Below is the Table of Specifications and the items that will compose the Perception

towards Tattoo Survey.

 Table of Specifications

Category/ Area Components Number of Items Item Placement Percentage of the

Items
Positive Tattoo Aesthetic 4 1, 7, 13, 19 20
Perception
Symbol for an 3 2, 8, 14 15
event, person, or
religion
Self-expression 3 3, 9, 15 15
Stigma/Negative Deviance 6 4, 5, 10, 11, 16, 30
Tattoo 17
Perception
Discomfort 4 6, 12, 18, 20 20

Please check the corresponding number in accordance to your validation. The remarks

section is for any comments or suggestions that you wish to include.

3 Accepted 2- Accepted but needs revision 1 Not Accepted

1. Positive Tattoo Perception

a. Conceptual Definition

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, positive displays acceptance, approval, or

affirmation. Tattoo perception can be defined as how a person perceives tattoos and tattooed

people. Having a positive tattoo perception can be interpreted as perceiving tattoos and tattooed

people with acceptance.

b. Operational Definition

In this test construction, positive tattoo perception may be interpreted as an idea that

tattooing is an art form, symbolizes an important memory, and way of self-expression. The
individual considers tattoo as beautiful and something that can enhance beauty. He/she also

thinks that tattoos are meaningful since they may represent something. The person may also

think that someone can express oneself through tattoos.

Aesthetic

a. Conceptual Definition

In philosophical terms, aesthetic refers to the idea of beauty and its appreciation

(dictionary.com). There are people who use tattoos as part of fashion and art (Kjeldgaard &

Bengtsson, 2005). As an art, tattoos are considered to be like paintings, but in fashion, it is

similar to accessories.

b. Operational Definition

Seeing tattoos in an aesthetic sense can refer to its design and the way it decorates the

body. It can also be that a tattoo can add to the beauty of a person. Aside from that, a person

considers tattoos as an art form.

(*) Reversed Score

Items 1 2 3 Remarks
1 Magandang tingnan ang tattoo sa katawan.
7
13
19
Symbol for an Event, Person, or Religion

a. Conceptual Definition

According to Lim, Ting, Leo and Jayanthy (2013), some tattoos represent an important

memory. They also explained that tattoos with religious or spiritual meanings are more present in

older people. Atik and Yildirim (2014) also mentioned that tattoos can represent a person or an

event which can be positive (eg. birthdays, weddings) or negative (eg. death of loved one).

b. Operational Definition

People have different ways of showing their appreciation. Some of it is through tattoos.

Perceiving tattoos as symbols for an event, person, or religion can be consider as a permanent

reminder of special occasions, way of honoring a person, or showing their faith. Tattoos are

considered to be meaningful.

Items 1 2 3 Remarks
2 Malakas ang pananampalataya sa Diyos ng isang
tao kung mayroon siyang tattoo na relihiyoso ang
disenyo (hal. krus, rosary, etc.).
8
14*

Self-expression

a. Conceptual Definition

According to study.com, self-expression is when people show their uniqueness through

their appearance, words, or artistic ways. Through self-expression, a person is viewed as an

individual. Belkin (2013) stated that tattoos often represent thoughts and feelings that we have

not spoken about or acknowledged, even to ourselves.

b. Operational Definition

Self-expression through tattoos can be defined as tattoos having meaning to the person. It

can also be that the person chooses or makes the design according to what he/she thinks and feels

that can represent his/her self.

(*) Reversed Score

Items 1 2 3 Remarks
3 May malalim na kahulugan ang bawat tattoo.
9
15

2. Stigma/Negative Tattoo Perception

a. Conceptual Definition

Stigma is defined as negative ideas about something that a group believes (merriam-

webster.com). It is often unfair that it can set people apart. Shame, hopelessness, and

misrepresentation are some of the feelings and experiences stigma can bring

(mentalhealth.wa.gov.au). Furthermore, people who are the subject of stigma are perceived as

strange.

b. Operational Definition

Thinking that a tattoo shows deviant behavior and causes discomfort can be considered as
part of negative tattoo perception. It can be expressed through actions such as avoiding a person

with tattoo, treating a tattooed person differently, etc.

Deviance

a. Conceptual Definition

Deviance is characterized by acting or behaving in a way that is not in accordance with

informal social norms (Boundless, 2016). Deviance is divided into violation of formally enacted

laws or crime and violation of informal social norms or informal deviance. Some examples of

crime are robbery, murder, and assault. Behaviors such as picking ones nose or men dressing in

drag belong to the second one, informal deviance.

b. Operational Definition

In tattoo perception, deviance can be defined as considering tattooed people as violating

expectations regarding appearance. They may also be expected to behave or act negatively

because of their tattoos.

(*) Reversed Score

Items 1 2 3 Remarks
4* Mapagkakatiwalaan ang taong may tattoo.
5
10
11
16
17
Discomfort

a. Conceptual Definition

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined discomfort as the feeling of uneasiness mentally

and physically. Discomfort from tattoos can refer to the uneasy feeling of an individual around

tattooed people since he/she can be negatively associated with them (Lim, Ting, Leo & Jayanthy,

2013).

b. Operational Definition

For this survey, discomfort from tattoos can be defined as feeling of uneasiness when

interacting with tattooed people. The way they interact with tattooed people can be different with

the way they interact with non-tattooed people.

(*) Reversed Score

Items 1 2 3 Remarks
6 Di ako komportable kapag may katabing may
tattoo.
12*
18
20
E. References

Aesthetic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2016 from Dictionary.com website

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/aesthetic

Angell, J. R. (1905). Perception, Chapter 6 in Psychology. An Introductory Study of the

Structure and Function of Human Conscious, (3), 122-140. Retrieved from

https://brocku.ca/MeadProject/Angell/Angell_1906/Angell_1906_f.html

Atik, D., & Yildirim, C. (2014). Motivations behind acquiring tattoos and feelings of regret:

Highlights from an Eastern Mediterranean context. Journal Of Consumer Behaviour,

13(3), 212-223. doi:10.1002/cb.1480

 APPENDIX A

Perception towards Tattoo Survey (PTS)

(Hernandez, Shimokawa, 2016)

Pangalan (opsiyonal): Walang tattoo

Edad: May tattoo

Petsa:

Kasarian:

Sagutan ang bawat pahayag ayon sa sumusunod na rating. Lagyan ng tsek ang kahon na
naaayon sa iyong opinyon. Walang tama o mali na sagot. Sagutin ang sumusunod ng tapat.
Salamat.

OO na Oo Hindi Hindi
oo na
hindi
1. Magandang tingnan ang tattoo sa katawan.
2. Malakas ang pananampalataya sa Diyos ng isang tao
kung mayroon siyang tattoo na relihiyoso ang
disenyo (hal. krus, rosary, etc.).
3. May malalim na kahulugan ang bawat tattoo.
4. Mapagkakatiwalaan ang taong may tattoo.
5.
6. Di ako komportable kapag may katabing may
tattoo.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
~
20.