Title: Social Roles and Social Norms | Simply Psychology
Headings: Social Roles
Social Roles
Social Norms
Conclusion
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Content: Social Roles and Social Norms | Simply Psychology
Social Psychology
Social Roles
Social Roles
By Dr. Saul McLeod, published 2008
There are many ways that people can influence our behavior, but perhaps one of the most important is that the presence of others seems to set up expectations
We do not expect people to behave randomly but to behave in certain ways in particular situations. Each social situation entails its own particular set of expectations about the “proper” way to behave. Such expectations can vary from group to group. One way in which these expectations become apparent is when we look at the roles that people play in society. Social roles are the part people play as members of a social group. With each social role you adopt, your behavior changes to fit the expectations both you and others have of that role. In the words of William Shakespeare: All the worlds a stage,
And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits, and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.