Role Theory

By Bradley Wright

One of my favorite theories in sociology is role theory because it explains so much of what we do and don’t do in everyday life. It even explains why students don’t have pizzas delivered in the middle of class. 

A role is a set of expectations held by others about what we are supposed to do when we are in a given social position. For example, if you’re the secretary of a student organization, you may need to take notes during meetings, contact other members regarding events, and keep track of peoples’ dues. Likewise, if you work as a server at the local Mexican restaurant, you are expected to greet customers, take their orders, refill the chips and salsa, check in with them throughout the meal to see if they need anything, and collect their money. You do these things not because of who you are, but because these are the duties of the position. In sociological language, the expectations that you will do what you are supposed to do in a role are called norms.

Role expectations are not just behaviors but emotions and feelings as well. As a server, you greet customers with a corporate-imposed greeting such as: “Hi, I’m Taylor, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight.” (At this point, I usually ask them to go wash my car or something, but they never do…) The role of a server requires you to be cheerful an interested. Don’t really feel that way? Doesn’t matter: You need to do it anyway. Imagine in you greeted customers with an angry snarl or sat down and started telling them all your problems. If you weren’t fired right away, you would at least have a manager instructing you in how to “properly” treat customers.

Roles have remarkably detailed and complex expectations for our behavior. You could fill a thick instruction manual for all the roles we act out. Let’s take a simple situation—what students are supposed to do in a college classroom. Sounds easy, right? There are actually many, many rules that you’re supposed to follow, and if it seems easy, it’s only because you know them already.

In a classroom, you are supposed to:

· Walk into the room—not run, crawl, dance or do handsprings into it.

· Talk with other students quietly—not yell greetings to them as you might if you saw the same person in a different situation. “Hey, you &#@*!, how the &#($)@^ are you doing!” won’t cut it.

· Sit in your chair facing forward. Don’t stand; don’t sit in front, facing the class (this is reserved for the professor); don’t put your feet up on somebody else’s desk.

· Look like you’re paying attention. Even if you’re bored out of your mind and ready to collapse into a deep sleep, face the general direction of the professor and keep your eyes open. Don’t lay down on the floor, put your head on your backpack, and take a nap. (Hey, if I have to be awake for my classes, my students do too!).

· If you have to say something, you raise your hand until acknowledged by the professor. Don’t just yell out, “Hey you, I’ve got something to say.” There are even norms on how to raise your hand! Lift your hand shoulder height and keep it mostly still. Don’t wave both arms frantically.

Over the years, I’ve had various experiences in the classroom that have indicated the power of these norms. In one class I had a student with a learning disability who would often do the “wrong” thing in the classroom. He would ask questions that were off topic. He would sometimes interrupt me during lecture with his comments. He would get really enthusiastic when talking. These behaviors didn’t bother me (professors are usually pretty happy just to have someone participate in class), but the other students were scornful of his violating classroom norms. At first they would roll their eyes and maybe snicker, but after a few weeks they would laugh out loud at him. Not the “we’re having fun” laugh, but the “you’re an idiot” laugh. He could tell what was going on, and after a few weeks, he just dropped the class.

Last semester I taught an evening class in a large lecture hall that holds 330 students. Since it was a two-and-a-half hour class, the students got hungry and usually brought food with them. One evening, a student forgot, and so at the start of class he asked if he could order a pizza. I thought it was a great idea, so I said sure. Well, about 30 minutes later, I was halfway up the stairs on one side of the classroom (I walk around a lot when I teach), and the class burst in to laughter. I looked back, and there in the front of class was this student paying a very confused Domino’s delivery person.

According to role theory, most of us are hardcore, rabid conformists. Whether it’s answering a telephone or ordering a coffee or getting married or playing softball or walking down the street or sending an e-mail or just about anything else, we conform to role expectations. They guide much of our lives, both in and out of the classroom. 

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Comments

[Cathy McKinnon]

It is amazing how we conform to social norms, and do not even realize that we do. Many either do things out of respect, some act based on observation around them (o well they are/aren't doing that so maybe I should/shouldn't-pending on the circumstances) or rebellion. Most norms are taught to us through right and wrong. I think that most people are rabid conformists, not only to not loose our jobs, but to be friendly, be respectful of others, and because of our social norms, or the fact that they were taught one thing and may get into trouble. Students help other students to follow norms by waiting turn to talk, ask questions, usually raise hand to indicate that they do have something to say or ask, turn off cell phones so as not to be interrupted or not only their time, but other students and the teacher as well. Also, I think in the middle of class or testing that it is very disrespectful for a cell phone to go off, or people who may not take something as serious as others be snickering and talking to friends while your trying to concentrate and take notes in class, and for me it also breaks my concentration.

[Chase Cotton]

I believe that most of us tend to be hardcore, rabid conformists. However, there are some people who are excpetions to the rule. There are always those people who want to break boundaries. In a classroom there are people who follow the norms like, staying in your seat, raising a hand to speak, or being on time to class. These norm followers encourage others to follow the norms by letting them know the a disturbance of the social order of the class will not be tolerated. I could just imagine what would have happened to me if i would have interuppted some of the people I went to high school with on a constant basis.

[joshua wade]

i believe that we stay in our certain roles in the class room cause there are norms that tell us we have to!!

[Ebony J]

I am a college student and I believe normal behavior is the best way to be in a class room. If we dint have this normal behavior everything would be all out of order. Peolpe have there own opinion on things what I do may be normal for me but may be disrespectful or rude to someone else

[Seth Cardwell]

Yes I do believe that most of us are hardcore rabid conformists! We are definitely a people who compare ourselves with others. We are constantly seeing if we measure up to what others are expecting of us. This feeds into our self-esteem and worth as an individual; though it is not always for our best interest.

[Jaleesa Watkins]

I think most of us do tend to be hardcore, rabid conformists because we try to fit with what's right. Students help encourage other students to follow norms in the classroom by leading by example like: raising your hand, talking quietly, and look like we're paying attention.

[Abell4570]

I think that a lot of us are hardcore, rabid conformists because that is how we have our set of norms (a lot of people doing the same thing makes it a norm), but I also think that a lot of us are not conformists because we strive to be more than just normal. Some try to be the furthest thing from normal, an individual. And that goes against the norms.
In a classroom, if someone were to go against a norm, others may laugh at them, say something to them, or just give them a disapproving look. In all of those, the person knows they have done something not "normal" and they either change or don't.

[mhunter1569]

I would have to agree with the article because, we have tendacys to act like other people or most things we do we've done from birth. some people are so simple until it's hard for them not to act normal.

[bmabry3509]

I agree with the with the article that most people are hardcore, rabid conformists. I believe that it starts from early childhood and on. Somethings we do not even pay attention unless it is brought to our attention.

[Angela Mundy]

I pretty much agree with the viewpoint of this article. We are all pretty much rabid conformists. We encourage the classroom norms by accepting people for behaving the correct way and we frown upon people when they act any other way. Sometimes we laugh and make rude comments although we really shouldn't, but chances are that person that violated the social norm isn't as likely to do it again.

[Taylor Stacks]

I beleive that unless you were brought up in a liberal, non conformist family, you'll be somewhat conforming to the role your expected to perform. We are taught that our role in the class room is not to speak out of turn, raise our hand, and not talk during tests. Teachers, as well as other students warn us of the consequences associated with breaking that role, which in turn keeps us in line.

[bedgeworth4976]

For the most part I try to follow the norms. Besides the fact that I'm a loudmouth that likes to voice my opinion, I follow most classroom norms. The ones that I don't follow, I really couldn't care less about.

[Jamie l]

students help other stuedents by reminding them if they get to loud or if they talk without permission thay it is not right and would remind them that they would get in trouble. Yes, i do believe we are rabid comformist

[dmoore0832]

Most people are conformists. In general no one really like to go against the grain. no one wants to be know as an outcast or not part of the majority. Everyone wants to feel like they belong somewhere. So most people will conform ,especially if they are in a large group and their belief goes against the majority.Students help to encourage other students to follow the norms because no one wants to be singled out. Sometimes students will attack someon who is not going along with the norms. Students want to be accepted by their peers so they generally conform to the group.

[Amanda Daugherty]

The norm or etiquette is something almost everyone decides to stay between the lines, at first. Most individuals become a little more out of the norm once they have become more comfortable with the people around them and the environment they are in. Once that comfort level is increased, one might run, skip, or do back handsprings into a classroom. I think it all boils down to comfort.

[Tiffany Sandiford]

Yes, I think most people are conformists because I have maybe one time seen something in class or life at all that I did not expect was going to happen. I tell other students in class to be quiet if they are distracting me or if they talk when the teacher is talking.

[Yasmeen]

I like to think that everyday is different; however, after reading this article I realized just how similar each day was. I enjoyed your examples of people who broke the norm. It was interesting to hear people's reactions. I feel that people going outside their role can be very enjoyable or detrimental. When people test the norms it can make everyday a little different and keep people on their toes. It makes life just a little more exciting than the normal day. However, when a person does not fulfill his or her role it can affect a group. For example, in my school's student government, if a person does not do his or her assigned job then it can hurt student government or the school body.