INTRODUCTION
The social media phenomenon that I have decided to investigative, is a peculiar sensation, something that has taken youtube by storm in the last few years. It can be characterized as whispering, soft-speaking, tapping, scratching, slow or fast hand movements and personal attention. It is something that I have seriously considered to attempt if all else fails in my life and this is expanding phenomenon is known as ASMR, short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.
Abstract
Just for some definition ASMR is this sensory phenomenon, in which can experience this tingling, static-like sensation across the scalp, kind of like when you get chill from the cold and this happens to be triggered by audio and visual stimulation. Since ASMR has gained some media coverage in recent years, others have taken to popular discussion of their ability to trigger ASMR to relieve the symptoms of these conditions in situations where other treatment options would have been unsuccessful or insufficient, whereas others use ASMR solely as a calming device. No systematic scientific study of ASMR has been performed to date, nor of the disorders that cause or end the ASMR process. A collective of members and supporters has been accumulated through media expressly aimed at creating ASMR. Competent people most commonly use a combination of visual and audio reinforcement through social networking to achieve a frequently recorded tingling, static-like sensation that spreads through the skull and down the spine. (As I talked about earlier.) The emergence of online streaming communities has encouraged a convergence of those who feel ASMR, resulting in the creation, viewing and sharing of thousands of videos with the intention of inducing this feeling, which is said to be coupled with a feeling of deep relaxation.
Why is it important to us?
This sensation is widely reported to be by feelings of relaxation and well-being. Data that has been obtained had seen temporary improvements in symptoms of depression and chronic pain of those who engage in ASMR.
Why is the research important to me?
I remember a few years ago, I saw Buzzfeed’s “What is ASMR.” And I was like so that was this feeling is?
In recent years, it’s just been growing, and many people have been capable of experiencing it. It is something that has helped me with my depression, stress and anxiety. Definitely it eases symptoms of these conditions in some cases but there is no rigorous scientific exploration of ASMR.
So I’m looking to explore which videos are the most watched from one creator, and if it is visual or audio stimulated, and what trigger is being presented. Hundreds of videos have been produced, viewed and shared with the goal of inducing this sensation, which is said to be paired with a feeling of intense relaxation.
So, my research question what triggers that intense relaxation! Within the creator of my choosing.
And that creator is Gibi who is a popular ASMRist that started creating content in June of 2016. She long-time viewer and subscriber of the ASMR community and an active cosplayer, Gibi decided to combine her love of costumes, entertainment, and ASMR to begin her own channel. I personally think she has one of the most diverse channels.
My research is aiming to describe which sensations associated with ASMR, explore the ways individuals engage with asmr. Although the methods used to activate ASMR are widely varied, and admirers say that individual differences play a significant role in the efficacy of each video, there appear to be distinct patterns in ASMR media. Exploring Youtube's most watched ASMR media uncovers what could be distinct categories of rising triggers. For instance, many of these videos show role-playing scenarios in which the audience is put in a 'close proximity' position to another person to be tended to in some way. This often includes maintenance or getting some kind of medical examination issued. Typically, the sound of these forms of ASMR media is that of making you paying close attention.
Materials and Methods
Participant: Gibi and her viewers
- Method: Look at different statics within her channel to generalize my components. I’ll be using methods of observations, documents and records and focus group.
· Section 1 - Most Popular Videos by View Count
Dark & Relaxing Tapping & Scratching [Close Whispers]
Over 18 million views
My research looked at four influential cause groups, each of which was felt by over millions of participants. Such causes are whispering, individual attention, crisp sounds and fluid movements, and viewers tend to be activated by listening to tapping sounds on her channel.
Top 2: sounds, audio – next top 2 visual
Section 2 – Length
Over 20 minutes
Section 3 – location/lighting
Black drop screen, face frame, very close
Section 4 – posting 3 videos per week
Section 5 – Themes and categories: Hobbies, Games, Adult Pretend, Cos-play.
Most watched recently & a combination of it all
You can do this study through various channels and to conclude people enjoyed trigger many triggers like tapping, lid sounds, and with visual triggers coming in close but tapping was found very satisfying.
I produced a very easy first analysis on the autonomic sensory meridian response (ASMR) phenomenon. ASMR can be triggered by a relatively clear series of audio and visual effects in those that are responsive. Because of the documented benefits of ASMR in improving symptoms of depression and pain, I believe ASMR deserves further study as a possible therapeutic intervention similar to that of relaxation and focus.
