Reality TV Viewers May Favor Cosmetic Surgery

Two recent studies from Rutgers University found correlations between interest in cosmetic surgery and viewing of reality TV shows that document surgical makeovers.  According to these psychological studies, when compared to television shows with a “neutral message,” reality shows spur greater interest in changing your appearance through cosmetic surgery.

In one study, the authors surveyed 170 participants and found that those who favored reality television shows about cosmetic surgery were more likely to show interest in pursuing their own procedure.  In a second study, 189 participants were split into two groups, with one viewing a television program about a surgical makeover, while the other half was exposed to a neutral message.  Participants viewing the surgical makeover program indicated greater interest in cosmetic surgery than the participants exposed to the neutral message.

Several networks have introduced programs with a significant focus on cosmetic surgery.  On cable networks, cosmetic surgery has been shown on programs such as Real Housewives of Orange County or Extreme Makeover.  On network television, you might see cosmetic surgeons featured on The Doctors or The Biggest Loser.   But are these programs always giving us a realistic picture of the medical field?  If viewers are as impressionable as the study indicates, there’s surely a need to present a more realistic and less sensational documentation of cosmetic surgery.

Read more about the study mentioned here, “A correlational and experimental examination of reality television viewing and interest in cosmetic surgery” on PubMed.