Cosmetic Surgery: A Common and Accepted Form of Self-Improvement?1

Abstract

The pursuit of beauty through alteration of physical appearance is a growing trend. Rates of cosmetic surgery have soared, suggesting that surgery is a common, acceptable solution to the desire for self-improvement. Despite indications that surgeries are increasing in frequency, there have been few empirical investigations about popular attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. In the present study, 302 female undergraduate students were surveyed. Approximately 3% of the sample had undergone cosmetic surgery themselves, and half knew at least 1 person among their friends and family who had undergone cosmetic surgery. As hypothesized, approval and reported future likelihood of cosmetic surgery were predicted by greater media exposure, greater vicarious experience of cosmetic surgery, and greater importance of appearance to self-worth. No significant differences among elhnic groups were found.

Cosmetic Surgery as Intrasexual Competition: The Mediating Role of Social Comparison

“…The rapid growth in cosmetic surgical procedures seems to reflect the public's blooming acceptance of cosmetic surgery as a mode of self-improvement (Delinsky, 2005). Given the multifarious potential costs associated with elective cosmetic surgery procedures, it is very important that researchers gain a more comprehensive understanding of the motives that underlie these decisions.…”

“…Exposure to attractive others can affect our mate-preferences and interests (Kenrick, Neuberg, Zierk, & Krones, 1994) as well as our own body satisfaction (Hawkins, Richards, Granley, & Stein, 2004). Moreover, media exposure has been found to influence attitudes and intentions surrounding cosmetic surgery (Delinsky, 2005;Henderson-King & Brooks, 2009). It is interesting that our mediation model applied to men for both attitudes toward cosmetic surgery and willingness to spend on cosmetic surgery.…”

“…This rapid growth may reflect the public's budding acceptance of cosmetic procedures as a form of self-improvement (Delinsky, 2005); a mechanism through which one can enhance their quality of life (Alsarraf, Larrabee, Anderson, Murakami, & Johnson, 2001;Castle, Honigman, & Phillips, 2002), body image , and mood (Rankin, Borah, Perry, & Weh, 1998). However, there are notable risks associated with many elective cosmetic procedures, especially with regard to invasive cosmetic surgery.…”

O Consumo de Cirurgia Estética: a Influência da Autoestima e do Materialismo

“…Um componente importante do autoconceito é a imagem, a percepção e a avaliação do próprio corpo, em termos de elementos como o tamanho e a capacidade de atração (Fisher, 1986). Delinsky (2005) argumentou que quanto maior é a importância da aparência para a autoestima das mulheres, maior é a aprovação delas em relação à cirurgia estética. Segundo o autor, foi constatado também que quanto maior é a autoestima da mulher, maior é a sua aprovação para com a cirurgia estética.…”

Associações e diferenças entre homens e mulheres na aceitação de cirurgia plástica estética no Brasil

“…It is known that acceptance of plastic surgery is positively correlated to exposure to me dia messages 5 and exposure to individuals, particularly those to whom the individual is close, who have previously undergone this type of surgery 6 . Sarwer et al 7 identified a po sitive association between acceptance of cosmetic plastic surgery in line with exposure to and influence by the media regarding attitudes toward plastic surgery.…”