Role Theory - General Concept

General Concept

Substantial debate exists in the field over the meaning of the "role" in role theory. A role can be defined as a social position, behavior associated with a social position, or a typical behavior. Some theorists have put forward the idea that roles are essentially expectations about how an individual ought to behave in a given situation, while others consider it means how individuals actually behave in a given social position. Others have suggested that a role is a characteristic behavior or expected behavior, a part to be played, or a script for social conduct.

In sociology there are different categories of social roles:

1. cultural roles: roles given by culture (e.g. priest)
2. social differentiation: e.g. teacher, taxi driver
3. situation-specific roles: e.g. eye witness
4. bio-sociological roles: e.g. as human in a natural system
5. gender roles: as a man, woman, mother, father, etc.

In their life people have to face different social roles, sometimes they have to face different roles at the same time in different social situations. There is an evolution of social roles: some disappear and some new develop. Role behaviour is influenced by following aspects:

1. The norms, determining a social situation.
2. Internal and external expectations are connected to a social role.
3. Social sanctions and rewards are used to influence role behaviour.

These three aspects are used to evaluate the own behaviour and the behaviour of other people. Heinrich Popitz defines social roles as norms of behaviour a special social group has to follow. Norms of behaviour are a set of behaviour that is usually used by the group members, in case of deviance, negative sanctions follow.