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

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