The process behind body modification PDF

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Isabelle Angeles-Rosenthal Professor Williford General Psychology 23 July 2018 The Process Behind Body Modifications

Primary Source 1- More and more Americans are beginning to see the art form behind tattoos, three in ten Americans have at least one tattoo. Seven in ten have more than one tattoo which shows how addictive tattoos can really be. Some families have even viewed it as comfortable to see police officers, doctors, coaches and teachers with tattoos when working with children under the age of 18. Tattoos are seeming to become more mainstream therefore you are finding more people on the street with works of art all over their bodies. Primary Source 2- Body modification has been a staple in expressing yourself through permanent artwork being etched into your skin ever since ancient times. Some individuals choose to go through this process in order to express their spirituality, individuality, and sometimes to bring back some memories. Other individuals choose to get tattoos in order to express the fact that the body is the only thing we truly own and this is shown through tribal symbols of maturity and marriage. After receiving just one tattoo, a series of numerous psychological factors begin to motivate individuals to express themselves through a plethora of different tattoos. Primary Source 3- Often times people believe that piercings and tattoos are a sign of rebellion or they believe that it was peer pressure that led them to the decision. Since we are in an era where it is very common for people to rebel in some way, shape, or form, getting a tattoo or a piercing is the perfect way to do so. After individuals receive their first tattoo or piercing,

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they then begin to feel more attractive and strong and are more likely to go back for more tattoos or piercings. Primary source 4- Tattoos often give us a sense of beauty, accomplishment, and significance. When walking down the street, most people notice the tattoos you have which can sometimes give people an extra boost of self-esteem from the attention. However, a tattoo is also an enhancement to some people which they believe is the only thing making them truly beautiful. Often times people get tattoos during their early adulthood and then grow to regret it because there was no meaning behind what they got. Despite this, people still make the courageous decision to go back and get more body modifications due to their addictive qualities. Secondary source 1- Tattoos were once found to be a symbol of delinquency, whereas today they are shown as a symbol of respect. Although the first tattoo a person gets can sometimes be rushed and poorly thought out, studies show that people typically wait at least 2 to 7 years to get another. Most people with tattoos want a sense of uniqueness and a way to distinguish themselves from other human beings across the world. Secondary source 2- For most a piercing or tattoo can be a way to express yourself but for others, it can be a stress reliever or a way to experience pleasure through pain. Deciding on a permanent procedure such as tattooing can only be a positive impact if the person puts a lot of thought into it. Getting one of these for the sole reason of peer pressure tends to be more of a regretful decision that most people want to take back. These things also affect how you treat the modification after the procedure, if you put thought into it then you'll take care of it because you want it to look nice. However, allowing it to get infected shows a sign of regret. Secondary source 3- There are many different reasons as to why a person would choose to permanently enhance themselves. Some of these reasons may include the rush of their

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endorphins and adrenaline. A lot of people love to feel the natural high that rushes through their body when involved in a heart-racing activity. Another important factor is belongingness, some people feel out of place around the people they are surrounded by, when getting a tattoo you become apart of a larger community. This gives people a sense of self-expression and artistic freedom that they need in order to feel truly alive. Secondary source 4- Different cultures have different meanings behind getting tattoos, whether it be for therapy or medicinal purposes. It’s also shown as a way to improve oneself, similar to how we improve the look of our homes by hanging pictures. A tattoo is a way for a person to live in the moment and not think about the future as much as we are told to do so. At first, deciding to undergo this procedure was a way to belong to a group or organization. However, this is now a way to differentiate ourselves from other people and feel unique. Contrary to popular belief tattoos are not a sign of defiance, many people choose to undergo the procedure to bring back memories.

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Works Cited Burgemeester, Alexander (undated). Psychology of Tattoos, Body Piercings and Sexual Activity. Retrieved from https://www.psychologized.org/psychology-of-tattoos-body-piercings-andsexual-activity/

Dey A, Das K (January 06, 2017). Why We Tattoo? Exploring the Motivation and Meaning. Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/why-we-tattoo-exploring-themotivation-and-meaning-2332-0915-1000174.php?aid=84053

Farrell, Kirby (March 17, 2017). Are Tattoos Addictive? Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/swim-in-denial/201703/are-tattoos-addictive

Kelly, Jon (October 1, 2013). Why do people go back for more and more tattoos? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24296713

Malnar, Gregory (January 30, 2013). Tattoo Addiction: The Psychology of Tattooing. Retrieved from https://www.tattoo.com/blog/tattoo-addiction-psychology-tattooing/

Shannon-Missal, Larry (February 10, 2016). Tattoo Takeover: Three in Ten Americans Have Tattoos, and Most Don’t Stop at Just One. Retrieved from https://theharrispoll.com/tattoos-cantake-any-number-of-forms-from-animals-to-quotes-to-cryptic-symbols-and-appear-in-all-sortsof-spots-on-our-bodies-some-visible-in-everyday-life-others-not-so-much-but-one-thi/

Stieg, Cory (April 5, 2017). The Surprising Reason Why Piercings Are So Addictive. Retrieved

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from https://www.refinery29.com/body-piercing-addiction-psychological-reasons

Quinn, Shannon (November 26, 2017). 10 Facts About the Psychology of Tattoos. Retrieved from https://www.toptenz.net/10-facts-psychology-tattoos.php...