Experimental Evidence of the Prejudice and Discrimination That Exists Towards Tattooed People in Some Hiring Processes

A considerable body of research has shown having visible tattoos is linked to greater workplace-related discrimination, with some women reporting feeling dehumanized based on their tattoo status within the context of their careers. However, most of this work is qualitative in nature, and little correlational or experimental evidence has supported these links or examined specific mechanisms of prejudice that might underpin this discrimination. The present study addressed these gaps using an experimental design in which participants were told they would assist with hiring a research assistant by viewing and evaluating online video job applications. In one condition that applicant was tattooed, and in the other she was not. Results showed that participants were less likely to hire the tattooed target, and that this effect was specific to when participants were average or higher in their dehumanization of her. These findings held controlling for participant sex, own tattoo status, age, and hiring capability in their job. Together, these findings suggest that some tattooed job applicants may face implicit discrimination which is driven by dehumanization of the target.