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Sociology vocabulary · Social Structure and Institutions

Social role

Meaning in sociology, with examples

nounCore term

In sociology, social role means: The set of behaviours, duties and expectations attached to a particular status, such as what people expect of a teacher, a parent or a patient.

In Turkish: toplumsal rol, sosyal rol

How it is used

Often shortened to role. Sociologists talk about playing, performing or taking on a role, role conflict (when two roles clash) and role strain (when one role makes competing demands). Goffman compared social life to a theatre in which people perform roles.

Example sentences

  1. Parsons described the sick role as a social role that excuses patients from normal duties if they try to get well.

  2. Working mothers often describe a conflict between their social roles at home and at work.

Common collocations

  • play a role
  • role conflict
  • role strain
  • role model
  • sick role
  • statusA social position that a person occupies, such as student, mother or doctor, which comes with expected behaviour and a certain level of respect.
  • gender roleThe set of behaviours, tasks and attitudes that a society considers suitable for women or for men, usually learned through socialisation.
  • socialisationThe lifelong process through which people learn the norms, values, language and roles of their society and become members of it.
  • social structureThe relatively stable pattern of social relationships, institutions and positions in a society, which shapes and limits what individuals can do.

More terms: Social Structure and Institutions

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