Body modification and the Dark Triad

Petričević, Nikola. (2013). Body modification and the Dark Triad. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Jokić-Begić, Nataša].

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Abstract

In the last two decades there has been a large increase in the popularity of body modification, especially piercings and tattoos. That was followed by the increase in research of motivational and psychosocial characteristics of people with body modifications. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the dark triad traits among participants considering the body modification type and visibilty of the body modification. Also, we wanted to determine if motivations for obtaining a body modification can predict scores in measures of machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. The study included 833 participants, of whom 490 did not have body modifications, 117 had piercings, 125 had tattoos and 101 participants had both piercings and tattoos. Online questionnaire, which was used in this study, included questions about demographic characteristics of participants, questions about body modification, the Motivation for piercing and tattooing questionnaire and the Short Dark Triad scale. Results showed that tattooed participants scored higher on psychopathy scale, compared to pierced participants and participants without body modifications. Also, psychopathy as a personality trait was more expressed in the group of tattooed participants, compared to the group of pierced participants. Participants with tattoos on visible parts of the body scored higher on psychopathy scale, compared to participant with tattoos on less visible parts of the body. Specific set of motivations for obtaining a piercing can, in some extent, predict scores of each of the Dark Triad personality traits. Also, a specific set of motivations for obtaining a tattoo can, in some extent, predict scores in measures of narcissism and psychopathy.The results of this study have theoretical and practical implications, and guidelines for future research.

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