Comments on: Ink on Skin Doesn’t Necessarily Indicate Sin http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/ Nationally Acclaimed Politics, Science and Culture Coverage Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-4744 Anonymous Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:49:24 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-4744 "...report having had multiple sex partners over the course of their lifetime."Wow, the statistics are breathtaking. “…report having had multiple sex partners over the course of their lifetime.”

Wow, the statistics are breathtaking.

]]> By: Tattyfreehttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1901 Tattyfree Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:14:08 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1901 Why not check for active brain cells vs. number of tats? ok joking aside, why are some people attacked because of stats? you can't prove OR disproove any stat by one or two cases! Why not check for active brain cells vs. number of tats?
ok joking aside, why are some people attacked because of stats? you can’t prove OR disproove any stat by one or two cases!

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1105 Anonymous User Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:44:08 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1105 This article seems to suggest that tattoos and piercings lead to deviant behavior This article seems to suggest that tattoos and piercings lead to deviant behavior

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1109 Anonymous User Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:44:08 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1109 this is very stupid. i have almost 10 tattoos this is very stupid. i have almost 10 tattoos

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1121 Anonymous User Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:44:09 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1121 as a sociologist as a sociologist

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1234 Anonymous User Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:15:12 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1234 well this seems a little racist don't you think? i have many MANY tattoos...big ones and several piercings INCLUDING "hidden" ones...and i've never even had a speeding ticket. or do drugs EVER. i'm about as deviant as a box full of kittens.but i'll be sure to let all the straight edge kids i know who are tattooed/pierced to consider robbing a bank...have sex with "multiple partners" in the vault......WHILE HIGH all to ensure they will have pretty impressive criminal records at the end of the day.i'm sure they will all just jump at that idea...just to prove the theory of this blog ISN'T completely ridiculous. how was my level of "deviance" in this comment..was it all you imagined it to be? well this seems a little racist don’t you think? i have many MANY tattoos…big ones and several piercings INCLUDING “hidden” ones…and i’ve never even had a speeding ticket. or do drugs EVER. i’m about as deviant as a box full of kittens.but i’ll be sure to let all the straight edge kids i know who are tattooed/pierced to consider robbing a bank…have sex with “multiple partners” in the vault……WHILE HIGH all to ensure they will have pretty impressive criminal records at the end of the day.i’m sure they will all just jump at that idea…just to prove the theory of this blog ISN’T completely ridiculous. how was my level of “deviance” in this comment..was it all you imagined it to be?

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1200 Anonymous User Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:08:13 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1200 Close minded rednecks. Close minded rednecks.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1611 Anonymous User Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:08:13 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1611 Close minded rednecks. Close minded rednecks.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1565 Anonymous User Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:47:06 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1565 OMG....This research seems very one sided, and on that note, I've noticed individuals that are not tattoooted and/or peirced are also cheating on tests, sleeping around, still doing this "deviant" behavior. I wonder if they ever thought of that? Then again, living in Texas, one would expect such results. OMG….This research seems very one sided, and on that note, I’ve noticed individuals that are not tattoooted and/or peirced are also cheating on tests, sleeping around, still doing this “deviant” behavior. I wonder if they ever thought of that? Then again, living in Texas, one would expect such results.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1555 Anonymous User Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:26:56 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1555 Since I can only focus on the few quotes you have offered. The key phrase for me is 'deviance reported'. Most people who have tattoo(s) are wearing who they are on their sleave(s) already. Few art majors hold secrets in this area but the political sciences and lawyers probably will keep their lips shut tight. When you already have your sexual preference, alt-religeon, and/or alt-art on your arm/back/chest or wherever.. you are far more likely to share regarding these other 'taboo' subjects. Tell the grant writing folks to cut me a check so that I can work up a report on how 96% of people who don't admit that they have done any of these things are liars. Cheers -Jim Since I can only focus on the few quotes you have offered. The key phrase for me is ‘deviance reported’. Most people who have tattoo(s) are wearing who they are on their sleave(s) already. Few art majors hold secrets in this area but the political sciences and lawyers probably will keep their lips shut tight. When you already have your sexual preference, alt-religeon, and/or alt-art on your arm/back/chest or wherever.. you are far more likely to share regarding these other ‘taboo’ subjects. Tell the grant writing folks to cut me a check so that I can work up a report on how 96% of people who don’t admit that they have done any of these things are liars. Cheers -Jim

]]> By: David Sternhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1546 David Stern Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:29:31 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1546 All of the quotes in this blog come from the abstract of the article, not the article itself. The researchers draw some very different conclusions than Tom Jacobs would have us believe. All of the quotes in this blog come from the abstract of the article, not the article itself. The researchers draw some very different conclusions than Tom Jacobs would have us believe.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1545 Anonymous User Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:12:36 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1545 This is a ridiculous study. Just another ploy at discriminating those who are different. Fuel for the fire, as they say. This is a ridiculous study. Just another ploy at discriminating those who are different. Fuel for the fire, as they say.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1544 Anonymous User Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:44:28 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1544 "report having had multiple sex partners over the course of their lifetime" ROTFLMAODon't most people have multiple sex partners over the course of their lifetime??? Are people with lots of tattoos and piercings likely to eat, breath, and sleep, too??? “report having had multiple sex partners over the course of their lifetime” ROTFLMAODon’t most people have multiple sex partners over the course of their lifetime??? Are people with lots of tattoos and piercings likely to eat, breath, and sleep, too???

]]> By: David Sternhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1543 David Stern Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:28:50 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1543 First of all, the word "deviant," means "diverging from normal standards," it does not mean "bad" (Oxford English Dictionary). Second, I read the actual article, it is interesting, but somewhat limited; and by the way, I am a Ph.D. student and teach a graduate level course on social science research methods. Below is my full critique. 1. The issue of The Social Science Journal, in which this article is being published is not yet available. The version on the author's website does not include the tables which would more clearly demonstrate the significance of the statistics cited. Mr. Jacobs, the author of the blog, has not seen the published article either, it does not come out until March. Perhaps the tables and graphs would help him to understand what is being said. 2. Literature Review: The literature review is quite revealing in terms of the quality of the project. While the group at Texas Tech has a substantial record of researching body art and modification, there are others in the social sciences studying the phenomenon as well. No prior research on body art and modification is cited in the article except for the work of the Texas Tech group. They do not even attempt to refute the work of others, they simply fail to acknowledge it's existence.3. Methods: a. The use of convenience samples always faces reliability and validity issues.b. The sample was collected from four universities. Two were "state-supported public schools," and two were "prominent and highly selective religious schools. Each were geographically proximal to one of the state schools." Yet if all four are in one state or region of the country, the results may reflect a relatively localized phenomenon. Furthermore, the proximity of these schools to urban centers versus rural areas, could skew the sample and results.c. The use of the term "sub-culture" as opposed to the academically accepted term "co-culture" may indicate some bias on the part of the researchers. Academics have been moving away from the term "sub-culture" for some time now, as the prefix "sub" means "beneath or below," whereas the the prefix "co" indicates "with or beside." In other words, cultural minority groups are not beneath or less than the dominant culture, they coexist within or along side it. d. While the research appears to demonstrate an increase in deviant behavior, which only means behavior that is different from the norms of the dominant culture, it would be interesting to repeat this research with other co-cultures on these campuses, such as populations based on racial identity, or socio-econmic status, as well as what could be termed "voluntary co-cultures," such as members of athletic teams and social fraternities and sororities. A comparison of the results might show common deviant behaviors among co-cultures, but behaviors and characteristics which deviate from social norms of a dominant culture is what defines a group as a co-culture in the first place. The very act of getting a tattoo or piercing (other than the earlobes for women) is deviant, in that it is not concurrent with social norms. e. Mr. Jacobs, not the researchers, overplayed the increased reports of cheating on college work. This finding is statistically insignificant, and the researchers disclosed this freely. In other words, the number of participants admitting to cheating is not much higher among the co-cultural group than it was among the dominant culture. According to this research, people with tattoos and piercings cannot be said to be more likely to cheat on college work. In fact, I suspect that if we account for the finding in the study that people with a greater number of tattoos and piercings are statistically more likely to smoke marijuana, and then compared their likelihood to cheat to a broader sample of marijuana using college students, we would find no difference, or perhaps an inverse relationship. Marijuana does effect motivation, thus a marijuana user may be more likely to cheat rather than to do their own work. Finally, Mr. Jacobs should acknowledge that he is making the judgement that what is deviant or different is necessarily bad or harmful. The case against marijuana has been reopened. Bias against people with tattoos and piercings may lead a police officer to arrest one person and ignore another for the same act, thus the arrest in the correlate not the criminal act. Having sex with a higher number of partners while using condoms is not as dangerous as a lower number of partners without the use of condoms. Finally, binge drinking and cheating have been going on in higher education for as long as universities have existed, and students have many reasons for turning to these two harmful behaviors. First of all, the word “deviant,” means “diverging from normal standards,” it does not mean “bad” (Oxford English Dictionary). Second, I read the actual article, it is interesting, but somewhat limited; and by the way, I am a Ph.D. student and teach a graduate level course on social science research methods. Below is my full critique. 1. The issue of The Social Science Journal, in which this article is being published is not yet available. The version on the author’s website does not include the tables which would more clearly demonstrate the significance of the statistics cited. Mr. Jacobs, the author of the blog, has not seen the published article either, it does not come out until March. Perhaps the tables and graphs would help him to understand what is being said. 2. Literature Review: The literature review is quite revealing in terms of the quality of the project. While the group at Texas Tech has a substantial record of researching body art and modification, there are others in the social sciences studying the phenomenon as well. No prior research on body art and modification is cited in the article except for the work of the Texas Tech group. They do not even attempt to refute the work of others, they simply fail to acknowledge it’s existence.3. Methods: a. The use of convenience samples always faces reliability and validity issues.b. The sample was collected from four universities. Two were “state-supported public schools,” and two were “prominent and highly selective religious schools. Each were geographically proximal to one of the state schools.” Yet if all four are in one state or region of the country, the results may reflect a relatively localized phenomenon. Furthermore, the proximity of these schools to urban centers versus rural areas, could skew the sample and results.c. The use of the term “sub-culture” as opposed to the academically accepted term “co-culture” may indicate some bias on the part of the researchers. Academics have been moving away from the term “sub-culture” for some time now, as the prefix “sub” means “beneath or below,” whereas the the prefix “co” indicates “with or beside.” In other words, cultural minority groups are not beneath or less than the dominant culture, they coexist within or along side it. d. While the research appears to demonstrate an increase in deviant behavior, which only means behavior that is different from the norms of the dominant culture, it would be interesting to repeat this research with other co-cultures on these campuses, such as populations based on racial identity, or socio-econmic status, as well as what could be termed “voluntary co-cultures,” such as members of athletic teams and social fraternities and sororities. A comparison of the results might show common deviant behaviors among co-cultures, but behaviors and characteristics which deviate from social norms of a dominant culture is what defines a group as a co-culture in the first place. The very act of getting a tattoo or piercing (other than the earlobes for women) is deviant, in that it is not concurrent with social norms. e. Mr. Jacobs, not the researchers, overplayed the increased reports of cheating on college work. This finding is statistically insignificant, and the researchers disclosed this freely. In other words, the number of participants admitting to cheating is not much higher among the co-cultural group than it was among the dominant culture. According to this research, people with tattoos and piercings cannot be said to be more likely to cheat on college work. In fact, I suspect that if we account for the finding in the study that people with a greater number of tattoos and piercings are statistically more likely to smoke marijuana, and then compared their likelihood to cheat to a broader sample of marijuana using college students, we would find no difference, or perhaps an inverse relationship. Marijuana does effect motivation, thus a marijuana user may be more likely to cheat rather than to do their own work. Finally, Mr. Jacobs should acknowledge that he is making the judgement that what is deviant or different is necessarily bad or harmful. The case against marijuana has been reopened. Bias against people with tattoos and piercings may lead a police officer to arrest one person and ignore another for the same act, thus the arrest in the correlate not the criminal act. Having sex with a higher number of partners while using condoms is not as dangerous as a lower number of partners without the use of condoms. Finally, binge drinking and cheating have been going on in higher education for as long as universities have existed, and students have many reasons for turning to these two harmful behaviors.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/ink-on-skin-doesn-t-necessarily-indicate-sin-7068/#comment-1542 Anonymous User Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:34:14 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/?p=7068#comment-1542 "if she comes home for spring break covered from head to toe, start worrying."Enough stereotyping! What about people with NO tattoos and NO piercings, I'm sure if you do a study of them you'll be surprised to find that they have just as many deviant people in their midst. Hello discrimination! “if she comes home for spring break covered from head to toe, start worrying.”Enough stereotyping! What about people with NO tattoos and NO piercings, I’m sure if you do a study of them you’ll be surprised to find that they have just as many deviant people in their midst. Hello discrimination!

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