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: attention is focused on social structures conceived as stable organizations of sets of persons (called social positions or statuses) who share the same, patterned behaviors (roles)
organization - focuses on social systems that are preplanned, task-oriented, and hierarchical; roles in such organizations are assumed to be associated with identified social positions and to be generated by normative expectations
cognitive role theory - focuses on relationships between role expectations and behavior
(from Biddle 1986)
Propositions
Role Theory includes the following propositions: people spend much of their lives participating as members of groups and organizations
within these groups, people occupy distinct positions
each of these positions entails a role, which is a set of functions performed by the person for the group
groups often formalize role expectations as norms or even codified rules, which include what rewards will result when roles are successfully performed and what punishments will result when roles are not successfully performed
individuals usually carry out their roles and perform in accordance with prevailing norms; in other words, role theory assumes that people are primarily conformists who try to live up to the norms that accompany their roles
group members check each individual's performance to determine whether it conforms with the norms; the anticipation that others will apply sanctions ensures role performance
Extensions of the Theory
Role Theory has been a fruitful approach to understanding humans and society. As a result, various derivatives and additional concepts have developed. Role Confusion
Role confusion is a situation where an individual has trouble determining which role he/she should assume. For example, if a graduate student were to attend a department party at a professor's home, the student may find it difficult to determine if he/she should act as a student toward the professor, exhibiting deference or respect, or as a friend or associate, showing collegiality and familiarity. Role Conflict
Role Conflict results when an individual encounters tensions as the result of incompatible roles. For instance, a mother who is employed full-time may experience role conflict because of the norms that are associated with the two roles she has.