Quantifying the Supercrip Image
Exploring the Impact of Knowledge of an Athlete’s Physical Disability on Spectators’ Impressions of Performance and Interest in Consumption
Keywords:
deaf sport, spectator perspective, supercrip imageAbstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how spectators perceived athletes with disabilities when the spectators were aware of the disabilities versus when the spectators were unaware. A 10 minute video of a deaf NCAA basketball team (Gallaudet University) playing against a hearing NCAA basketball team (Wilkes University) was used as a means to collect data. Approximately half of the participants were informed that the players for Gallaudet were deaf while the other participants were not. Participants who were informed of the Gallaudet players’ impairment viewed the Gallaudet players as exhibiting better communication and teamwork, being more athletic and skillful, being more inspirational, and participants were more interested in attending a Gallaudet game.
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