Date of Award

1-1-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Carolyn Cunningham

Abstract

As tattoos have increased in popularity in recent years, the number of tattooed people applying for jobs in professional workplaces also has increased. This thesis explored how tattoos affect the impressions formed by potential employers during the hiring process. Symbolic Interactionism theory, based on the writings and concepts of George Mead, provides the basic theoretical framework for this study. The literature review examines several topics, including: how impressions are created; how conscious thought and unconscious thought impact impression formation; the importance of communication through visual messages; and how tattoos have evolved in recent society. Data for this study was gathered through eight interviews with individuals who work or have worked in a human resource or hiring position. Results of the study were analyzed using a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach, where emergent themes were pulled from the data and examined further. Themes included: the importance of conscious choice of physical appearance by the wearer; parental influence on impression formation of tattooed people; and acknowledgment of existing stereotypes of tattooed people. The study concluded that tattoos do impact impression formation during the hiring process and that most people have an extreme view of tattoos as being either perfectly acceptable or stereotypically having a negative connotation. The study also established that previous interactions with tattoos or tattooed people (positive or negative) play an important part in how impressions are created during future encounters with tattooed people. Further research should evaluate the ways in which other aspects of physical appearance impact impression formation and the role physical appearance has on the outcome of the hiring process.

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