Role Identity

Defining a Role Identity

For each role a person assumes, there is a corresponding identity associated with it. A role identity consists of the internal meanings and interpretations that individuals bring to their roles. There are two dimensions of a role identity: a conventional dimension and an idiosyncratic dimension. The conventional dimension is the meanings most people share with one another about a role based on a common culture. Individuals learn the meanings of a role identity in interaction with others in which others act toward individuals as if they had the identity appropriate to their role behavior. The idiosyncratic dimension of a role identity is the unique meanings that individuals bring to their roles; it is individuals’ own understanding of the role as it applies to them. For example, the professor role identity typically entails the meanings of one as “instructor” and “educator.” This is the conventional dimension of the professor identity. Some may add to this the idiosyncratic dimension of “friend to students” or “protector of students.” Either one of these meanings is more distinctive and not necessarily shared with others while in the role of professor.

Role identities often contain multiple meanings. Individuals turn to more than one characteristic to describe what the role means to them. Additionally, different individuals may have different meanings for the same role identity. For example, for one person, the student role identity may mean being studious and taking one's coursework seriously, whereas for another, the student role identity may mean being outgoing and having fun with friends at school. When role identity meanings are not held in common, individuals must negotiate the meanings with others who may have a different understanding of that role identity. They may find that they have to compromise as to the role identity meanings they can claim and the behaviors that correspond to those meanings.

Despite the actual meanings of one's role identity, the meanings should be similar to the meanings implied by one's behavior. For example, if the role identity of student involves the meaning of being studious, a student should behave in ways that match this meaning, for example, by attending class, taking notes, completing homework assignments, and passing exams. On the other hand, if the student identity means being sociable, a person's behavior should include spending time with one's friends and going to parties.

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