Social roles

Question 1

Dramaturgical model

Answer 1

Theroised by Goffman;

Social interaction is dependant on time, place, and audience.

Everyday interaction rarely breaks down and can be repaired if it does.

Question 2

Acquired social roles

Answer 2

Roles that are attained through experience and social recognition, such as a doctor.

In order to be socially competent, one must behave in ways appropiate to the role

Question 3

Ascribed roles

Answer 3

Roles that are given to use despite what we do, such as a ‘daughter’ or ‘father’.

Question 4

Social roles

Answer 4

The part someone plays in a member of a social group.

It can be acquired or ascribed.

In order to be socially competent, one must behave in ways appropriate to the role.

Question 5

Social identity theory

Answer 5

Theory that states that our membership of groups can be based on things we cannot change and also reflects the choices we make.

Things we cannot change:
Ethnicity, sex, age.

Choices:
Occupation, sub-cultural groups etc

Question 6

Problems with changing social roles

Answer 6

Can be stressful to gain a new role because one must learn the behaviour of the new role.

One must also have to constantly prove that they are competent in their social role.

Feeling of failure at competency of their role can lead to depression.

Social role conflict: trying to balance multiple roles. Such as balancing occupational role with being parent.

Question 7

Sick role

Answer 7

The role taken by the patient in medicine.

Features:

• Has the right to relinquish other obligations, such as school, work.
• Obligation to strive to get better, as a result of relinquishing other obligations.
• Obligation to follow advice and not engage in activities that hinder recovery.
• Sick role has to be formally acknowledge (sick note ) by health professionals.

Question 8

Doctor role

Answer 8

Social role that is acquired and obtains certain rights:

• The right to ask personal questions
• The right to conduct physical examinations

Obligations:

• Diagnose, certify and explain illness
• Provide effective treatment

Question 9

Socialisation

Answer 9

The process whereby people take on social norms and later spread them.

Primary socialisation:
Learning culture-specific roles and rules

Secondary:
Learning role-specific competencies, obligations and rights, like becoming a doctor.

Question 10

Role loss examples

Answer 10

Retirement

Illness

Redundancy

Becoming a carer

Recovering from a long term illness

Ceasing to a be carer

Bereavement