Sociology Chapter 5 Section 2: Social structure and roles

An expected behavior associated with a particular status is a role. Any status carries with it a variety of roles. Roles can be though of as statuses “in action.” Whereas statuses describe positions, roles describe behaviors.

Rights are behaviors that individuals expect from others. Obligations are behaviors that individuals are expected to perform toward others. Doctors are obligated to diagnose their patient’s illnesses.

Role performance and social interaction Statuses and roles provide the basis for group life. It is primarily when people interact with each other that they “perform” in the roles attached to their statuses. Role performance- the actual conduct, or behavior, involed in carrying out (or performing) a role.

Social interaction – the process of influencing each other as people relate.

How does play-acting differ from social interactions? Most real-life role performance occurs without planning. The process of choosing the role and then acting it out occurs in nearly all instances of social interaction. The range of response is not limitless. Only certain response are culturally acceptable.

Role performance occurs through social interaction. Existing social structure affects the creation of and changes in culture.

Role conflict and role strain The existence of statuses and roles permits social life to be predictable and orderly.

What are role conflict and role strain? Role conflict exists when the performance of a role in one status clashes with the performance of a role in another.

Role strain- occurs when a person has trouble meeting the many roles connected with a single status.

How do we manage role conflict and strain? We often solve dilemmas by setting priories. We also segregate roles (we separate our behavior in one role from our behavior in another). Because or role conflict and role strain, meeting the goals and expectations of all our roles is impossible.