Inked and in public : tattoos and disclosure

Tattooing;Interpersonal communication;Social media

Wessely, MichaelPenington, Barbara ;

University of Wisconsin

关键词: Tattooing;    Interpersonal communication;    Social media;   

Others  :  https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/67969/Thesis%20Draft%20for%20Submission.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: University of Wisconsin

【 摘 要 】

This qualitative study will examine the phenomenon that tattooing has become.More individuals of all ages and groups are obtaining tattoos (Kosut, 2006). The currentstudy will explore the motivations that individuals have for obtaining tattoo modification,as well as how they manage their tattoos online and in face to face situations. Popularculture in the United States has also fed into increased interest for tattoos. Mediaexposure of famous tattooed individuals in a variety of venues has increased, as hasmedia programming dedicated to tattoos.Fifteen participants in three focus groups held in the Midwest provided insightinto the complexities of tattoo motivations and communication management of theirtattoos both online and in person. Qualitative responses from a questionnaire were alsoutilized as a supportive component. The current study used the theoretical frameworks ofTajfel and Turner;;s (1986) Social Identity Theory, as well as Petronio;;s (2002)Communication Privacy Management. Tajfel and Turner;;s (1986) Social Identity Theorywas utilized to examine tattooing in the scope of group interaction. Petronio;;s (2002)Communication Privacy Management was utilized to examine publicness and privacy,information sharing, and communication strategies with regard to tattoo-relatedinformation.Results of this study found that individuals had emotional motivations forobtaining tattoos in conjunction with practical considerations. In addition, participantsdetailed how they managed disclosure of their tattoos with various people in differentsituations, both online and face to face.