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

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 ethnic groups were found.