Editing Role (section)

===Role in functionalist and consensus theory===
The [[Functionalism (sociology)|functionalist]] approach to role theory, which is largely borrowed from [[anthropology]], sees a "role" as the set of expectations that [[society]] places on an individual. By unspoken consensus, certain behaviors are deemed "appropriate" and others "inappropriate". For example, an appropriate [[Physician|doctor]] dresses fairly conservatively, asks a series of personal questions about one's health, touches one in ways that would normally be forbidden, writes [[Medical prescription|prescriptions]], and shows more concern for the personal [[Quality of life|wellbeing]] of his or her clients than is expected of, say, an [[electrician]] or a [[shopkeeper]].

"Role" is what the doctor ''does'' (or, at least, is expected to do) while status is what the doctor  ''is; ''in other words, "status" is the position an actor occupies, while "role" is the expected behavior attached to that position.  Roles are not limited to occupational status, of course, nor does the fact that one is cast in the role of "doctor" during working hours prevent one from taking on other roles at other times: spouse, friend, parent, and so on.