Effect of Cosmetic Surgery on Adolescents

The Effect of Cosmetic Surgery Reality TV Show on Adolescent Girl’s Body Image

The article analyzed in this essay is The Effect of Cosmetic Surgery Reality TV Show on Adolescent Girl’s Body Image by Ashikali, Dittmar, and Ayers. The researchers focused on assessing the impact of reality TV shows on the perception of an adolescent’s body image. Four hypotheses guided the study. Firstly, the researchers expected that girls who watch cosmetic surgery programs portrayed body dissatisfaction as compared to those who controlled viewing habits. Secondly, the scholars presumed that girls who watched the television shows could report a positive attitude towards cosmetic surgery.  Thirdly, the researchers predicted that girls exposed to the fairs but were aware of the risks had a negative perception of cosmetic surgery. The independent variables for the study were reality television programs, scales body image, and attitudes. Alternatively, the dependent variable for the research was adolescent girl’s body image.

The sample of the study consisted of female students selected between the ages of 11 to 18 years. In the first group, the researchers chose 89 girls from six institutions in a Psychology Conference. The scholars recruited ten girls who had the ages of 15 to 18 years. Out of the sample population, 35 were aware of the risks of cosmetic surgery, but 31 girls did not identify the consequences. However, 33 girls controlled their watching behavior of cosmetic surgery programs. The participants were from the White and Asian origin.

  The researchers used the experimental and control methods to assess the effect of the reality television programs on the adolescent girl’s body image. Ashikali, Dittmar, and Ayers used 15-minutes-clips to assess the consequence of the film on the behavior of the participants. Subsequently, the scholars used the Self-Discrepancy Index to assess the effect of scales of body images on the attitude of the participants. Also, the writers used the Likert Scale to rate the magnitude and salience of the participant in completing sentences. The researchers used statistical approaches such as skewness and regression to assess self-discrepancies. The writers used the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale to assess the advantages of cosmetic surgery to the image. The ACSS instrument was also used to examine the magnitude of participants accepting cosmetic surgery. Further, the scholars applied the 6-point Likert scale to determine the population’s perceptions.

Regression methods were used in assessing the research hypotheses. The scholars applied the binary logistic regression method in testing the impact of girls watching reality programs on the body image. The method was also used to test the effect of girls’ exposure to cosmetic surgery perceptions. The technique was useful in assessing the hypotheses where the researchers derived results.

 The results indicated that there were no group differences among the variables. Therefore, the variables were not controlled using subsequent analysis. The researchers observed group differences in the weight and appearance of girls. Girls who watched cosmetic reality shows were unsatisfied about their weight and appearance. The study revealed that girls who were aware of the risks and watched the cosmetic reality programs portrayed higher dissatisfaction as compared to those with little knowledge about the consequences. The researchers discovered that girls who were exposed to programs that did not illustrate the risks of cosmetic surgery were materialistic. The results indicated that there were no significant impacts of watching cosmetic shows on the attitudes of girls. Thus, perceptions towards cosmetic surgery are not affected by exposure of cosmetic films. The scholars could not determine the impacts because the data was inadequate for statistical analysis. The results indicated that there is a significant difference between the high and low appearance of girls on their self-esteem.

The researchers recommend that a larger sample of cosmetic reality programs is needed to determine the effect on the viewers’ attitudes. There is a need for further analysis of people’s attitude on risks after exposure to various cosmetic films. Future analysts should ensure that the audience understands the kind of information in the study to enhance the accuracy and reality of the risk of cosmetic surgery. Researchers should consider the effects of media on the assumptions on cosmetic surgery. Scholars can assess the consequences using actual participants or hypothetical cases. Additionally, there is a need for extensive analysis on the subject of cosmetic surgery films and the examination of individual differences to identify the reactions of each participant. As a result, the researchers can determine the audience that is vulnerable to cosmetic surgery videos.

 The research design applied in the study was inappropriate. The researchers presented their work in a clear and concise which enhances the understanding of the reader. However, the writers have not explores the cause of watching films and the recommendations. The scholars could have applied the descriptive research design to provide more profound insights into the topic. I would consider answering the following questions in my future research to improve the results of the topic:

What prompts girls to watch cosmetic surgery films?

What are the specific aspects of cosmetic shows that influence the thoughts of the girls on body weight or surgery?

What are recommendations for the effects on cosmetic surgery movies on body image?

I can make observations or conduct interviews on focus groups after establishing the main questions. Observation can assist in collecting information on the causes and responses of participants towards the shows. Besides, I can communicate to the participants through electronic means such as e-mails to identify their reactions on the different kinds of cosmetic films. 

References

• Ashikali, E. M., Dittmar, H., & Ayers, S. (2014). The effect of cosmetic surgery reality TV shows on adolescent girls’ body image. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 3(3), 141. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2014-08110-001.html

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