When (fake) beauty turns ugly: Plastic surgery as a moral violation

Say no to the knife!

“…With respect to the negative influences on cosmetic surgery consideration, being aware of cosmetic surgery risks was described by participants in the qualitative study (cf. Bonell et al, 2020); however, we also recognised that the majority of Chinese women described cosmetic procedures, particularly the popular ones, as completely safe and they had little knowledge about the risks associated with cosmetic procedures. Further, in line with the literature (e.g., see , our participants described that cosmetic surgery advertisements, which often emphasise benefits and downplay risks, was the main source for the public to know cosmetic procedures; meanwhile, the popularity of cosmetic surgery, particularly within social circles, could increase the familiarity with cosmetic procedures and, simultaneously, lower the suspicion of risks.…”

“…Negative personality traits (e.g., aloof, narcissistic, materialistic) and psychological states are ascribed to them; relatedly, some are less willing to make friends with them (Delinsky, 2005;Tam et al, 2012). A more recent study carried out among 985 adults in the U.S., a country where cosmetic surgery is very popular, also shows that cosmetic surgery patients are seen as less warm, moral, and competent in relation to non-patients (Bonell et al, 2020). Some may consider cosmetic surgery immoral due to perceiving that it can harm physical and psychological health, as described above (e.g., Bonell et al, 2020); however, since women who wear makeup can also be seen as less competent, warm, and moral (e.g., Bernard et al, 2019Bernard et al, , 2020Kellie et al, 2021), it is reasonable to assume that people's negative attitudes toward cosmetic surgery may be attributed more to factors associated with beauty enhancement.…”

“…Additionally, the perception of injustice may also explain negative attitudes toward cosmetic surgery . Beauty is associated with good human characteristics and virtues; for example, more physically attractive people are seen as being more capable and moral, as well as having a better personality than those who look less attractive (Bonell et al, 2020;Wheeler & Kim, 1997). Therefore, appearance enhancement via cosmetic surgery may be considered as deception .…”

“…Broadly speaking, appearance is a factor that impacts how an individual is perceived by others; for example, attractive people are assumed to be more competent, have better personality traits, and to be more moral in relation to less attractive people (Bonell et al, 2020;Wheeler & 197…”

“…Similarly, other studies found that many, including some cosmetic surgery recipients, considered undergoing cosmetic surgery as generally unjustifiable and morally condemnable (Davis, 2016;Saxena, 2013). Further, cross-cultural studies show that negative personality traits may be ascribed to cosmetic surgery recipients and they may be considered as psychologically ill (e.g., Bonell et al, 2020;Delinsky, 2005;Tam et al, 2012); meanwhile, cosmetic surgery is condemned for violating humans' inherent reverence for naturalness (Bonell et al, 2020;Daston, 2014;Ehlinger-Martin et al, 2015). Thus, ironically, while women are encouraged to maintain youthfulness and attractiveness, they are also condemned for seeking artificial treatments to resist natural ageing and to enhance their appearance (Clarke & Griffin, 2007).…”