Joshua Villalva

Professor Obrien-Richardson
2/4/16
HSS 408-006
Research paper title: The difference in how hairstyles influence participation in social
and classroom settings between middle school and high school adolescents.
The reason for this research is to determine how hairstyle characterizes persons
into groups and cliques and to see the differences that occur between the ages of middle
school and high school. Currently when growing up from childhood to adolescence there
are four factors that contribute to the emotions of a evolving child: there is a general selfconcept, which is an evaluation of self and their abilities, next there is the temporary self
concept which evaluation based on recent experiences, third is the idea of social self
which explains how we consider the views of others and finally the concept of ideal self
which is how we like to view ourselves. With this research it shall expose some views on
hair and the feelings towards hair and how they transition from middle school to high
school.
Method
Questionnaire (worksheet to be distributed
to students in middle school and high
school)

Description
1) Gender?
2) Do you participate in sports/
afterschool activities?
3) Which group would you identify
yourself with? Jocks/ scene/
hipsteretc
4) On a scale of 1-10, how much does
your hair mean to your appearance?
5) Do you style your hair everyday of
school?
6) Has your hair ever hindered your
participation in school? (phys. Ed,
sports, in class activitiesetc)
7) How important is hair on picture
day? Explain why it is important.
8) Is your current hairstyle emulated

Interview (question school workers, such

as teachers and guidance councilors)

Internet Survey (reach group of friends via

social media. Set up a survey monkey)

from a celebrity? If Yes explain

who, if No explain how you
achieved your hairstyle (trend,
peers,etc)
9) For high school students: did you
care about your hair more or less in
high school? Explain.
1) Ask them what are the main
changes they see between middle
school and high school.
2) See if they have any insight into
how hair effects a students attitude
and participation.
3) Which cliques of students do you
see express themselves via their
hair?
4) How would you explain these kids
behavior habits
Would repeat the questionnaire similarly
that would be given to the students. This
will have room for error since users will be
thinking about how they used to act in
grade school.

Feedback:
Great topic. How will you have access to the students? Read the
comments and address them in your final proposal. Also, what texts
(books, scholarly journals/sites etc.) will you use in addition to the
interviews. I would include at least 3-5 sources in your bibliography
section.
A-