Attitudes toward cosmetic surgery patients : the role of culture and social contact
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Journal of Social Psychology
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Volume
152
Issue
4
First Page
458
Last Page
479
Publisher
Psychology Press
Keywords
attitudes, cosmetic surgery, culture, social contact, stereotype
Abstract
Cosmetic surgery is increasingly popular globally, but how cosmetic surgery patients are socially evaluated is largely unknown. The present research documents attitudes toward these patients in multiple cultures (Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States). Across these cultures, attitudes toward cosmetic surgery patients were predominantly negative: Participants ascribed more negative attributes to cosmetic surgery patients and found cosmetic surgery not acceptable. Also, participants in Hong Kong and Japan were not willing to form social relationships, particularly intimate ones, with these patients. These attitudes were less negative in the United States than in Hong Kong and Japan, partly because social contact, which reduced negativity in attitudes toward cosmetic surgery patients, was more prevalent in the United States. These findings bear important implications for the subjective well-being of cosmetic surgery patients, who very often expect improvement in their social relationships through the surgery.
DOI
10.1080/00224545.2011.637997
Print ISSN
00224545
E-ISSN
19401183
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Tam, K. P., Ng, H. K. S., Kim, Y. H., Yeung, V. W. L., & Cheung, F. Y. L. (2012). Attitudes toward cosmetic surgery patients: The role of culture and social contact. The Journal of Social Psychology, 152(4), 458-479. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2011.637997