Tat will tell: Tattoos and time preferences

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Year: 2019
Volume: 166
Issue: C
Pages: 566-585

Authors (2)

Ruffle, Bradley J. (McMaster University) Wilson, Anne E. (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Survey and experimental evidence documents discrimination against tattooed individuals in the labor market and in commercial transactions. Thus, individuals’ decision to get tattooed may reflect short-sighted time preferences. We show that, according to numerous measures, those with tattoos, especially visible ones, are more short-sighted and impulsive than the non-tattooed. Almost nothing mitigates these results, neither the motive for the tattoo, the time contemplated before getting tattooed nor the time elapsed since the last tattoo. Even the expressed intention to get a(nother) tattoo predicts increased short-sightedness and helps establish the direction of causality between tattoos and short-sightedness.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeborg:v:166:y:2019:i:c:p:566-585
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29