Page 176 - Sociology and You

146 Unit 2 Culture and Social Structures
Section 2
Social Structure and Roles
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Preview
Key Terms
• role
• rights
• obligations
• role performance
• social interaction • role conflict
• role strain
Section
Rights and Obligations
An expected behavior associated with a particular status is a role. Any status carries with it a variety of roles. The roles of a modern doctor, for example, include keeping informed about new medical devel-
opments, scheduling office appointments, diagnosing illnesses, and pre- scribing treatments.
Roles can be thought of as statuses “in action.” Whereas statuses describe positions, roles describe behaviors. These behaviors are based on the rights and obligations attached to various statuses. Rights are behaviors that indi- viduals expect from others. Obligations are behaviors that individuals are expected to perform toward others. The rights of one status correspond to the obligations of another. Doctors, for example, are obligated to diagnose
“No, Hoskins, you’re not going to do it just because I’m telling you to do it. You’re going to do it because you believe in it.”
Hoskins is being forced to follow roles whether he wants to or not. Are such cues ever sent your way?
Section
People interact according to prescribed roles. These roles carry certain
rights and obligations. Sometimes conflict or strain occurs when an individual has too many roles to play.
role
an expected behavior associated with a particular status
right
a behavior that individuals can expect from others
obligation
a behavior that individuals are expected to perform toward others