Social roles define the duties and behaviors expected of someone in a specific position, while social norms are broader guidelines for behavior applicable within a community or group.
To elaborate, consider the key distinctions:
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Social Role:
- Definition: A set of expectations (rights, duties, obligations, and behaviors) attached to a particular status or position in society. For example, "student," "parent," or "doctor."
- Specificity: Roles are specific to the status or position an individual occupies.
- Focus: Emphasizes how someone in a specific position should behave.
- Example: A teacher's role involves educating students, maintaining classroom order, and grading assignments. These responsibilities are specific to the "teacher" status.
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Social Norm:
- Definition: Shared expectations about how people should behave in a particular situation. They are the unwritten rules that govern social behavior.
- Scope: Norms apply more generally across a wider range of situations and to a broader population.
- Focus: Emphasizes acceptable behavior within a group or society, regardless of one's specific role.
- Example: Waiting in line at the grocery store is a social norm. It's a general expectation of politeness that applies to virtually everyone, regardless of their social role.
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Feature | Social Role | Social Norm |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Expectations tied to a specific position | Expectations about behavior in a situation |
| Specificity | Specific to a status or position | General across situations and populations |
| Focus | How someone in a position should behave | Acceptable behavior within a group or society |
| Scope | Narrower, tied to a single role | Broader, applies more widely |
| Enforcement | Often formalized (e.g., job descriptions) | Often informal (e.g., social disapproval) |
In essence, think of social roles as scripts for particular parts played in the social world, while social norms are the general rules that everyone is expected to follow. Social roles are much more specified to individuals based on their social standing.
