Cosmetic surgery & reality television: the relationship between college students' viewing of cosmetic surgery on reality television and self-reported attitudes toward cosmetic surgery

6 Introduction . 7 Research Questions . 8 Rationale . 9 Literature Review.10 Method . 17 CSRTP viewing habits . 18 Attitudes toward cosmetic surgery for self and for others . 19 Attitudes regarding social stigma.20 Healing time and pain . 21 Analysis plan . 22 Results . 22 Table 1: Total CSRTP Viewing.23 Table 2: Descriptive Statistics, Reliability Coefficients, and Zero-Order Pearson Correlations for Study Variables . 25 Research Question 1: CSRTP viewing and attitudes for others and for self . 26 Research Question 2: CSRTP viewing and attitudes regarding social stigma . 27 Research Question 3: CSRTP viewing and perception of healing time and pain.27 Table 3: Perception of Healing Time and Pain, and Number of Elective Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Willing to have Performed.29 Discussion.30 Research Question 1: CSRTP viewing and attitudes for others and for self . 30 Research Question 2: CSRTP viewing and attitudes regarding social stigma . 32 Research Question 3: CSRTP viewing and perception of healing time and pain.32 Limitations.33 Directions for future research . 33 Conclusion.34 References . 36 Appendix A: Survey Cover Letter and Instrument.38 Cosmetic Surgery & Reality Television 6 Abstract The current study explores the effects of viewing cosmetic surgery reality television programs (CSRTP) on self-reported attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Undergraduate college students (N = 105) completed surveys and responded to questions related to their television viewing habits and their attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Results of this study indicate that heavier viewers have a more favorable attitude toward cosmetic surgery for themselves than do non-viewers or lighter viewers. However, the results also indicate no significant difference in attitudes among heavier viewers, lighter viewers, and non-viewers regarding cosmetic surgery for others; additionally, the results show no significant difference in terms of the perceived social stigma, pain, and healing time associated with undergoing surgery.The current study explores the effects of viewing cosmetic surgery reality television programs (CSRTP) on self-reported attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Undergraduate college students (N = 105) completed surveys and responded to questions related to their television viewing habits and their attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Results of this study indicate that heavier viewers have a more favorable attitude toward cosmetic surgery for themselves than do non-viewers or lighter viewers. However, the results also indicate no significant difference in attitudes among heavier viewers, lighter viewers, and non-viewers regarding cosmetic surgery for others; additionally, the results show no significant difference in terms of the perceived social stigma, pain, and healing time associated with undergoing surgery. Cosmetic Surgery & Reality Television 7 Introduction In September 2003, the American Broadcasting Company launched the hour-long weekly television series Extreme Makeover. The show featured participants—who found themselves physically less-than-perfect—undergoing various cosmetic surgery procedures (including breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, facelift, cosmetic dentistry, chin implant, shin implant, etc.) to become more beautiful. Following Extreme Makeover, other networks developed similar reality shows with the same premise: I Want a Famous Face (MTV), The Swan (Fox), Dr. 90210 (E! ), Cosmetic Surgery: On the Edge (Discovery Health Channel), and Plastic Surgery: Before & After (Discovery Health Channel). Many scholars argue that cosmetic surgery is gaining widespread approval and acceptance in the United States (Askegaard, Cardel Gertsen, & Langer, 2002; Brooks, 2004; Negrin, 2002; Woodstock, 2001). Further some suggest that mass media are in part the cause for the shift toward the acceptance of cosmetic surgery (Brooks, 2004; Woodstock, 2001; Didie & Sarwer, 2003). The attitudinal shift seems also to be reflected in behavior; in the United States, 8.3 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2003, a 20 percent increase from 2002 (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2004). The presentation of and focus on cosmetic surgery in reality television is a relatively new phenomenon, and the effects on subsequent attitudes toward cosmetic surgery have yet to be explored. Previous investigations of fictional, dramatic television’s effects on attitudes often determine the presence of a cultivation effect; heavy viewers are Cosmetic Surgery & Reality Television 8 frequently more likely to see the world as it is presented on television (Gerbner, 1969; Gerbner & Gross, 1976; Gerbner, Gross, Morgan, & Signorielli, 1994). Taking a cultivation approach to the relationship between viewing cosmetic surgery reality television programs (CSRTP) and attitudes, the current study’s hypothesis is: repeated exposure to cosmetic surgery on television leads heavier viewers to be more inclined to report positive attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. The present study investigates whether such a relationship exists by examining the extent to which college students’ self-reported attitudes toward cosmetic surgery are influenced by viewing CSRTP. Research Questions To what extent do heavier viewers of CSRTP differ from lighter viewers and non-viewers in their self-reported attitudes about whether or not they approve of elective cosmetic surgery for others and for themselves? To what extent do heavier viewers of CSRTP differ from lighter viewers and non-viewers in their self-reported attitudes about the social stigma associated with elective cosmetic surgery? To what extent do heavier viewers of CSRTP differ from lighter viewers and non-viewers in their self-reported perception of healing time and pain associated with elective cosmetic surgery? Cosmetic Surgery & Reality Television 9 Rationale When the CSRTP Extreme Makeover originally aired, the female and male participants eagerly received makeovers—not only from makeup, hair, and wardrobe stylists, but also from cosmetic dentists and plastic surgeons. Soon after, copycat shows turned up on other television networks. The effects of these shows on viewers are not clear. One factor warranting an examination into the effects of CSRTP is that from a social perspective, many individuals who choose to undergo cosmetic surgery report learning about different procedures through the mass media (Didie & Sarwer, 2003); consequently, such individuals may have unrealistic expectations about their own results. On CSRTP patients rarely experience complications, results are frequently dramatic and exceptional, and several procedures are often performed at once or within a short period of time. The portrayal of cosmetic surgery on television, by promising to erase physical flaws and the negative effects of aging, is contributing to the illusion of an ageless society. Negrin (2002) writes: “The burgeoning in the use of cosmetic surgery by women is seen to be symptomatic of the permanen