The game of dialectics: an investigation of professional baseball couples

Abstract

Interpersonal relationships are chaotic and often hard ics. to understand. Dialectical Theory offers a unique set of assumptions that help analyze and interpret the communicative interactions of individuals. This research project looked at professional baseball couples using a dialectical framework. More specifically this study analyzed the Internal Dialectics of Autonomy---Connection, and the External Dialectics of Seclusion---Inclusion. Through 20 in-depth interviews with both spouses, this study found several on-going tensions. However, these tensions were not the same for the husbands and wives. This study had two underlying goals: 1) to provide a better understanding of professional baseball couples, and 2) to provide a model for future dialectical research on pairs. This study developed a model that encompasses four characteristics unusual to other dialectical studies. First, this study recognized the importance of Context on dialectical tensions. Incorporating Context into the analysis strengthened the results of the study. Secondly, this study interviewed both members in the relationship: not just the husband or the wife. This offered a more holistic picture. Thirdly, this study examined Internal and External dialectics as well as their interplay. Very few studies have attempted this, even though Internal and External dialectics are integral to one another. Finally, this study advanced ideas of "potential complications'' due to the combination of the first three aspects. This study offers a descriptive picture of baseball couples and dialectical tensions in a real-life situation.