Roles in essence always include a set of defined forms of social action that are assigned to each individual and group in society. It is in this role concept that one can imagine the stage and the individuals who take different roles.
Role theorists, even according to experts, are based on the observation that people behave in predictable ways, putting forward the thought that one’s activities fall outside the defined categories.
It is argued that a person’s behavior is context dependent, based on factors such as social position.
Read Also : What Is Altruism? Definition, characteristics, causes, impacts, and examples
Role
Role is the expected behavior of individuals in social institutions. Here the meaning of society is like a stage and individuals are like actors in society where they have to play different roles in different social institutions.
Each individual has a different status in different social institutions. They must perform a series of roles related to their ascribed or attained status in a particular type of social institution.
Definition of Role
Role is a form of behavior expected of an individual who occupies a certain position or social status. A role is a socially recognized comprehensive pattern of behavior that provides a means of identifying and placing a person in society.
Definition of Role According to Experts
The definition of role according to experts, among others:
1. Linton
Role is a term used to denote the total number of cultural patterns associated with a particular status. As such, it includes the attitudes, social values, and behavior ascribed to society for any and all persons occupying that status.
2. Ogburn and Nimkoff
A role is a set of socially expected and approved patterns of behavior, consisting of duties and privileges associated with a particular position in a group.
3. Soerjono Soekanto (1981)
Role is the behavior of someone who performs a certain position. In a role related to a job, a person is expected to be able to carry out his obligations in accordance with the role he holds.
Read Also : What is Stigma? Definition, Stigma, Types, Causes, Impacts, and Examples
Role Features
The role has several characteristics, namely:
1. Action Aspect of Status
Actual role is the action aspect of status. In involving various types of actions that a person must take in accordance with the expectations of society. These actions do not depend on individual will but on social sanctions. Therefore, it is said that every social role has a cultural foundation.
2. Changes in the Concept of Role
Roles in accordance with social values, ideals, patterns and others. These ideals, values and objects change so that the role concept also changes. Roles that are justified at one time may not be justified at another.
3. Limited Field of Operation
Each role has a limited area of operation and the role must be limited within it. For example an officer has a role to play in the office but when he is in his family, that role stops.
4. Roles are not Performed 100% for Fulfillment of Expectations
It is impossible for anyone to fully carry out their role in accordance with the expectations of society. There must be some differences. For example a person may not be able to perform his role to the full satisfaction of the children.
5. Differences in the Importance of Roles
From a social and cultural point of view, all roles are not equally important. Some roles are more important while others are less. The most important role is called the key role while the role that is generally important is called the general role.
Read Also : What Is Social Change? Definition, Process, Form, Factor, Impact, and Examples
Role Theory
There are at least five main models of role theory, namely;
- Functional Role Theory , this study discusses social roles with the importance of shared social norms.
- Symbolic Interaction Role Theory , this meaning focuses on the impact of individual interpretation of responses to behavior on social roles.
- Structural Role Theory , a theory using mathematical models to examine the influence of society as a whole on roles.
- Organizational Role Theory , the definition of this theory discusses the development of roles in organizations.
- Cognitive Role Theory , this type of theory examines the relationship between expectations and behavior.
Read Also : What is Trias Politica? Definition, Theory, Function, and Purpose
Role Concept and Examples
There are different concepts associated with social roles, some of which are:
1. Role conflict
Namely role conflict refers to situations that occur when a person is expected to act in conflicting roles in everyday life.
Conflicts can be the product of contradictory interests or when there are different norms about the responsibilities of certain roles.
Role conflict occurs in both personal and professional life. An example of role conflict is a situation that occurs when a working mother is judged to be unsuitable for the role of a “good wife”.
2. Role Distance
which refers to the practice of distancing oneself from a role. For example, an actor may have to practice the concept of role distance very often, between professional and personal perspectives.
3. Exit from Role (Role exit)
Namely the process of terminating a role to create a new role. An example is the transformation of individuals into parents.
4. Role Expectations
which refers to a series of actions expected of someone who plays a certain role. For example, each profession has a specific set of roles expected of it.
5. Role Performance
Which is a term that refers to a person’s level of performance in relation to the role assigned to him.
6. Reversal of Roles (Role Reversal) , which refers to the actions of people who switch roles with each other. For example, a psychologist may occasionally seek help from a close friend or relative.
7. Separation of Roles (Role Segergation)
which refers to the separation of role partners from one another. For example, a Court judge will not appear for a case with which he has a personal social relationship.
8. Collection of Roles (Role set),
Which refers to the cumulative set of roles that an individual has, from the various roles he plays.
9. Role strain
refers to the pressure a person experiences in fulfilling the expectations and obligations associated with any role. An example is when a person is working on a laptop, but wants to cook food for his children at the same time.
10. Taking a role (Role Taking)
namely the act of taking the role of another person to understand things from their point of view. An example is when an advocate tries to think from the point of view of the accused when examining a case.
So, that was the article that we can present to you about the definition of role according to experts, characteristics, theories, concepts, and examples. Hopefully this will provide insight for all those who need it.