Their Hands Communicate and Their Eyes Listen: Perceptions of Small Group Messages Amongst Deaf College Basketball Players

Abstract

This study concentrated on small group communication amongst Deaf basketball players. The central aim of the current research was to explore how outsiders perceive the communication of Deaf athletes who communicate via American Sign Language (ASL) in the sport of college basketball. Cultural identity theory (CIT) provided a theoretical foundation for the current research, while the extant literature on small groups was discussed to provide insight on intrateam messages. The participants in this study completed a pretest that centered on sports communication, partook in a distraction exercise, were informed they were analyzing Deaf athletes who communicate in ASL, and then completed a post-test that centered on sports communication. One of the main findings was that Deaf basketball players were perceived to share messages of acceptance with one another. Additional results revealed that Deaf basketball players were perceived to resolve conflict in a positive manner and were less likely to engage in negative conflict while communicating with teammates. Implications for CIT were a focal point in the study discussion as were practical implications tied to effective communication in team sports.