role reversal (social role reversal)

Definition of Role Reversal

(noun) A situation in which people switch roles to perform the role of a role partner.

Examples of Role Reversal

• An elderly parent is taken care of by their child.
• A student starts to teach classes.
  

Role Reversal Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: role re·ver·sal

Audio Pronunciation

International Phonetic Alphabet

• American English – /roʊl rɪˈvɜrsəl/
• British English – /rəʊl rɪˈvɜːsəl/

Usage Notes

• Plural: role reversals
• The terms “role reversal” and “social role reversal” are used interchangeably in a sociological context.
• Variant spelling: role-reversal

Additional Information

• Role Theory Resources – Books, Journals, and Helpful Links
• Word origin of “role” and “reversal” – Online Etymology Dictionary: etymonline.com

Related Terms

• norm
• role
• role conflict
• role distancing
• role expectation
• role performance
• role segregation
• role set
• status

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Cite the Definition of Role Reversal

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2014. “role reversal.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved January 16, 2025 (https://sociologydictionary.org/role-reversal/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

role reversal. (2014). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/role-reversal/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2014. “role reversal.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://sociologydictionary.org/role-reversal/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“role reversal.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2014. Web. 16 Jan. 2025. <https://sociologydictionary.org/role-reversal/>.