Differences in Intelligence and Creativity between Tattooed and Non-Tattooed Students

Abstract

Background: In everyday life stereotypes, i.e. simplified imaginations about others are often built. One of innumerable stereotypes is that tattooed people drink too much alcohol, take always drugs, don't avoid risks and, maybe, they are even more stupid than the rest of humanity. On the other hand tattoos can be very artful. Therefore it is conceivable that tattooed people are more creative than others. Objective: This work is focusing on the question if there is a difference (a) in creativity and (b) in the crystallized intelligence between tattooed and non-tattooed persons. Methodology: To capture these characteristics an intelligence questionnaire (MWT-A) and five of eleven sub-tests of a creativity questionnaire (TDK) were used. To achieve a sufficient homogeneity between the samples, the survey was conducted only among students. A total of 104 persons were interviewed of which 50 people were tattooed and 54 non-tattooed, aged between 20 and 54 years. The survey took place at several universities and colleges in Hamburg and took about ten minutes per person. Results: There were no significant group differences regarding crystallized intelligence; moreover there was no correlation between having tattoos and creativity. Conclusion: Tattooed students seem to be neither less intelligent nor more creative than other students.