Reality TV Gives Viewers Favorable Impression of Cosmetic Surgery

A recent article published in the academic journal Body Image reported that teenagers who watch cosmetic surgery reality shows, such as Extreme Makeover, are more likely to opt for cosmetic surgery themselves.

The researchers, Charlotte Markey, an associate professor of psychology at Rutgers–Camden, and her husband Patrick Markey of Villanova University, surveyed 170 participants (59% female) with an average age of 19.77  assessing their impression of reality television shows featuring cosmetic surgery, appearance satisfaction, self-esteem, and their interest in cosmetic surgery.

According to the abstract, the results showed that “participants who reported favorable impressions of reality television shows featuring cosmetic surgery were more likely to indicate interest in pursuing surgery.”

A second study they did gathered data from almost 200 participants (51% female and an average age of 19.84) on their reactions to a TV show: half were shown an ‘extreme makeover’ program and the other half a show on home improvement.

The results showed that:

• Women were more likely to want cosmetic surgery than men.
• Viewers of the cosmetic surgery show were more inclined to consider the procedure for themselves than those who didn’t view the show.

While  ABC’s Extreme Makeover was canceled in 2007, it has influenced the development of several other similarly themed shows like Fox’s The Swan, MTV’s I Want a Famous Face, E’s Dr. 90210 and Oxygen’s Addicted to Beauty.

The two studies were done to “examine the influence of media messages about cosmetic surgery on youths’ interest in altering their own physical appearance,” according to the abstract.

The abstract of the study, “A correlational and experimental examination of reality television viewing and interest in cosmetic surgery,” is available at Science Direct,