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Sulloway's 'born to rebel' hypothesis posits that later-borns develop personality characteristics which diverge from the status quo. Considering inconsistencies in the birth order literature as well as theoretical and methodological criticisms levied against this theory, we tested predictions derived from it using a sample of N = 2011 participants from the UK and Poland. We predicted later-borns would more likely have tattoos, and that this would be mediated by openness, risk-taking, sensation-seeking, and need for uniqueness. Tattooed individuals had higher risk-taking, sensation-seeking, and need for uniqueness, but birth order was not a predictor of having tattoos. Furthermore, although later-borns had higher risk-taking and sensation-seeking, they had lower need for uniqueness. Our results do not provide support for the 'born to rebel' hypothesis. • The 'born to rebel' hypothesis posits later-borns are more likely to diverge from the status quo. • Study tests if first-borns and later-borns differ in personality and likelihood of having tattoos. • First-borns and later-borns did not differ in having tattoos, or in number or visibility of tattoos. • Later-borns reported higher risk-taking and sensation-seeking but lower need for uniqueness. • Tattooed individuals reported higher risk-taking, sensation-seeking, and need for uniqueness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tattoos bring risks yet no obvious evolutionary benefit. Koziel et al. (2010) reported increased fluctuating symmetry (a proxy for low developmental instability) in tattooed men, suggesting they could serve as fitness indicators.Aims: We replicate and extend the findings of Koziel et al. by examining fluctuating asymmetry of finger lengths and digit ratio (2D:4D) (a putative indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure) as predictors of adult tattoo prevalence.Study Design: We used an online survey with a correlational design.Subjects: Participants were recruited from the UK and Poland via university participant pools and social media. Data were available for presence/absence of tattoos and at least one predictor variable (composite Fluctuating Asymmetry [cFA], right-hand digit ratio [R2D:4D] and left-hand digit ratio [L2D:4D]) for n = 186 males and n = 997 females.Outcome Measures: We firstly assessed presence/absence of tattoos; when at least one tattoo was present, we also examined overall number and highest visibility.Results: Greater cFA was associated with lower likelihood of having tattoos in males, though in females greater cFA was associated with higher numbers of tattoos. R2D:4D and L2D:4D correlated negatively with number of tattoos in males, and a positive correlation between L2D:4D and number of tattoos was observed in females. However, these latter findings did not remain significant after controlling for covariates.Conclusions: Tattoos may act as fitness indicators in males, though this explanation appears not to extend to females. Prenatal testosterone may also play a role, though doubt is cast on this premise because 2D:4D effects did not remain statistically significant after controlling for covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]