Role Theory

Fundamentals

A role is a position constructed within a larger social system. It is constructed in the sense that normative expectations specify a range of obligatory, acceptable, and prohibited conduct on the part of individuals inhabiting the role, otherwise known as actors. Actors’ perceptions and interpretations of others’ expectations lead them to generate scripts for action in a situation, which they follow as they play or perform their role. These expectations govern interaction with other members of the social system, as actors attempt to conform to expectations, in order to garner rewards for doing so or to avoid sanctions for unacceptable behavior. An actor may occupy several roles simultaneously, although one role will be dominant in providing the scripts for a performance; for example, parents do not cease to be mothers or fathers while at the workplace, yet their professional roles will be of greater importance in directing behavior at the weekly staff meeting. Thus, role theory explains why different individuals behave similarly in a social context (when they occupy the same role), as well as why the same individual may behave very differently across contexts (in playing different roles).

Role theory is relevant in various ways to the functioning of organizations. First, a role does not exist in isolation; it is only meaningful when situated within a network of connected roles. The collection of positions in the network that both influence and depend upon a role is referred to as the role set. The ability of actors to understand their place in a role set is essential to achieving organizational objectives; consider the futility of an auto assembly line where all workers individually attempt to construct a vehicle from scratch. Successful performances require an actor to engage in role-taking, seeing his or her role as it is seen by others and responding accordingly. Feedback from role set members can lead actors to revise their scripts to ensure more acceptable performances in the future. These scripts guide role performances even as actors perform by themselves: Actors learn to conduct themselves as though engaging with a generalized other, a composite of the expectations of their organizational community. From drafting a memo for a companywide audience to editing a report, much of the performance of a role takes place with the generalized other in mind.

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