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Perceptions of a tattooed college instructor.
1Psychology Department, Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738, USA. dwiseman@brookdalecc.edu
Psychological Reports
|August 18, 2010
Summary
Tattoos on a college instructor model were perceived positively by undergraduates. The study found that tattooed instructors were rated higher in student motivation, creativity, and likelihood of recommendation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Education
Background:
- Student perceptions of instructors influence educational outcomes.
- The impact of visible personal attributes, such as tattoos, on instructor evaluations is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess undergraduate students' perceptions of a college instructor with tattoos.
- To determine if the presence of tattoos affects student ratings of teaching-related characteristics.
Main Methods:
- 128 undergraduates viewed photographs of a female model described as a college instructor.
- The model was presented in four conditions: tattooed or non-tattooed.
- Students rated the model on nine teaching-related characteristics.
Main Results:
- The presence of tattoos was associated with positive changes in student ratings.
- Specifically, students reported higher motivation, greater imagination regarding assignments, and increased likelihood of recommending the instructor when she had tattoos.
Conclusions:
- Tattoos on a college instructor may not negatively impact student perceptions and could potentially enhance them.
- Further research is needed to explore the nuances of instructor appearance and student evaluations in diverse educational contexts.
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