Title: Sociological Theory/Role Theory - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
Headings: Sociological Theory/Role Theory
Sociological Theory/Role Theory
Contents
Theory
Structural-Functional Perspective
Interactionist Perspective
Additional Approaches
Propositions
Extensions of the Theory
Role Confusion
Role Conflict
Role Strain
Role Distance
Role Embracement
Limitations
Notes
References

Content: What's more, role theory also argues that in order to change behavior it is necessary to change roles; roles correspond to behaviors and vice versa. In addition to heavily influencing behavior, roles influence beliefs and attitudes; individuals will change their beliefs and attitudes to correspond with their roles. For instance, someone over-looked for a promotion to a managerial position in a company may change their beliefs about the benefits of management by convincing him/herself that they didn't want the additional responsibility that would have accompanied the position. Many role theorists see Role Theory as one of the most compelling theories bridging individual behavior and social structure. Roles, which are in part dictated by social structure and in part by social interactions (see the two approaches outlined below), guide the behavior of the individual. The individual, in turn, influences the norms, expectations, and behaviors associated with roles. The understanding is reciprocal and didactic. Structural-Functional Perspective
The functionalist approach sees a role as the set of expectations that society places on an individual.