Research Memo 1

Research Memo #1

Hypothesis:

Most people that I know look at moshing as an art form or a way to express themselves. They go to shows with the sole purpose of moshing, and having fun. Moshing is a huge part of the hardcore scene. My hypothesis is that most people will look at moshing as an art form or a way of expressing one’s self; while listening to good music.

Context:

The target group for my survey is kids in the hardcore scene ages fifteen to twenty-one. I chose these people as my respondents because moshing is a huge part of the hardcore scene. Everyone that considers themselves part of the hardcore scene knows what moshing is. Therefore, they will not have a problem answering any of the questions. If this survey is given to anyone outside of the hardcore scene, they may not be able to answer most of the questions. This is simply due to the fact that moshing is not for everyone.

Have you ever been to a hardcore show? yes/no	Male: Yes: 60% No: 40%	Female: Yes: 20% No: 80%
How often do you go to shows?	A lot: 30% Sometimes: 50% Never: 20%	A lot: 0% Sometimes: 30% Never: 70%
Check all that apply.	I have seen moshing: 50% I have moshed: 40% I have never moshed: 60%	I have seen moshing: 40% I have moshed: 10% I have never moshed: 90%
Do you know what Myrtle Beach hardcore is?	Yes: 40% No: 60%	Yes: 10% No: 90%

Do you consider yourself part of Myrtle Beach hardcore?	Male: Yes: 20%  No: 80%	Female: Yes: 0% No: 100%
What is your opinion on moshing?	Positive: 60% Negative: 30% I don’t know: 10%	Positive: 10% Negative: 60% I don’t know: 30%
Should injuring someone while moshing be considered assault?	Definitely: 40% No: 40% Sometimes: 20%	Definitely: 70% No: 10% Sometimes: 20%
Whose fault is a moshing related injury?	Your own: 40% The person that hit you: 60% The venue: 0%	Your own: 10% The person that hit you: 90% The venue: 0%
Do you think moshing should be legal?	Yes: 90% No: 10%	Yes: 100% No: 0%
Do you consider moshing a form of self-expression?	Yes: 100% No: 0%	Yes: 80% No: 20%

Data analysis:

I did not honestly get answers that I expected from my surveys. Ninety percent of Males said moshing should be legal. I thought it would be one hundred percent: considering one hundred percent of girls said it should be legal. Another big thing is that one hundred percent of males think moshing is a form of self-expression. To me that is a monumental piece of evidence. If it is a form of self expression that means it has to be viewed pretty positively. Another thing I noticed is that more than fifty percent of girls view moshing in a negative light. I do not know if it is because they do not know what it is or they think it is just unnecessary violence. One thing is for sure the male and female demographic have two completely separate opinions on moshing.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it seems that most females look at moshing with either a lack of understanding or a sense of displeasure. It is the opposite way for men they see it as an art form or a form of expression. This honestly contradicts my hypothesis. I thought everyone regardless of gender would see moshing as an art form not just a display of violence.

Follow up: 

For research memo, two I plan on researching laws dealing assault. I plan to figure out if hurting someone in a mosh pit can be categorized as assault. I am going to use a book called in the pit that actually has a section on this. The reason there is a chapter on this is due to the simple fact that it happens all the time.