A Tattoo?! Are
You Crazy?!
One certainly does not need to be a sociopath in order to
get tattoos, nor does the appearance of a tattoo mean that a
person is one. However, numerous studies have shown that
most sociopaths do indeed have tattoos as being one of their
strongest common factors. In addition, a well-known crime
writer stated in an interview that every single one of the many
serial killers he had spoken with had had multiple
tattoos. For many people, tattoos hold no negative
connotation; for those who already have serious
personality defects, tattoos are often a very visible symbol of
it. For those in the latter category, everything about
tattoos has an entirely different purpose and meaning than it
does to the majority-- why they feel the need to get
them, and what they represent.
Psychologists tend to refer to tattoos as "body
modification;" and most have both very strong opinions
and knowledge about how tattoos are connected to those who are
in the minority. On the most clearly defined side,
psychologists state that for those who already exhibit signs of
personality defects, tattoos are but an extension of their
anti-social personalities. It is said that these types of
individuals who engage in drug use, promiscuity, and violence,
merely make tattoos a part of that particular
lifestyle.
Psychologists state that these traits, coupled with tattoos,
are linked to subclinical psychopathy. In clearer terms,
for this segment of the population, getting tattoos is yet
another means of "thumbing one's nose" at society, and of
displaying one's sense of self-importance. As one of the
foundations of sociopathy is to refuse to adhere to what is
generally considered to be acceptable behavior. given that
tattoos still have some degree of negativity associated with
them, they are of special allure to those who already have
serious personality problems. For these people, acquiring
tattoos is primarily an aggressive means of defying what is
conventional.
In using tattoos in this manner, one also presents a "tough"
image. The problem with this is when one uses what to
most people is relatively harmless to portray a sense of
toughness, it is rare that the individual in question will stop
at artwork. For one who connects tattoos with toughness,
aggression in his behavior is also a very real
possibility.
While this fact is relevant to sociopaths in general, and
cannot afford to be overlooked, it takes on an even darker side
for those who commit serious violent crimes. In research
regarding serial killers, a much worse connection comes up
about tattoos. Continuing with the factors already
evident in sociopaths, there are the additional factors of
causing bodily harm and of refusing to let go. In plainer
terms, these types of individuals gain tattoos-- often by
their own attempts-- both as a means of expressing hatred
and as a means of permanently holding on to the objects of
their hatred.
On a slightly lesser but still important scale, as most of
the individuals who fall into the categories of sociopaths and
violent criminals were subjected to severe abuse in childhood,
it is relevant to note that it is not unusual at all for them
to display, in their adult life, tattoos with the name or some
representative symbol of their abusive parent.
When facts like this are taken into consideration, even if
much of the population isn't aware of it, it's no wonder
tattoos have such a negative reputation. While it is true
that most people in the United States of America choose to get
tattoos for no negative reason and no underlying motives
whatsoever, learning that tattoos are a common standard amongst
sociopaths and serial killers does tend to lend a
less-than-desirable quality to the entire subject.
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