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role (social role)

Definition of Role

(noun) A position containing a set of socially defined attributes and expectations that determine appropriate behavior for an individual or group based on their status in relation to other people or groups.

Example of Role

Role Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: role

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /rOHl/
  • British English – /rOHl/

International Phonetic Alphabet

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

Usage Notes

  • Plural: roles
  • The terms “role” and “social role” are used interchangeably in a sociological context.
  • An individual simultaneously occupies multiple roles.
  • Roles are complementary, dynamic, and relational.
  • The distinction between a role and status is a role is what you “do” and a status is what you “are.” Being provider for a child is a role, being a parent is a status.

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Additional Information

Related Terms


References

Hughes, Michael, and Carolyn J. Kroehler. 2008. Sociology: The Core. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Strong, Bryan, Christine DeVault, and Theodore F. Cohen. 2011. The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society. 11th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Works Consulted

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Wikipedia contributors. (N.d.) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/).

Wikipedia contributors. (N.d.) Wiktionary, The Free Dictionary. Wikimedia Foundation. (http://en.wiktionary.org).

Cite the Definition of Role

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “role.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved December 2, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/role/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

role. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/role/

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

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “role.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/role/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“role.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 2 Dec. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/role/>.