Role conflict occurs when there are incompatible demands placed upon a person such that compliance with both would be difficult. Persons experience role conflict when they find themselves pulled in various directions as they try to respond to the many statuses they hold. Role conflict can be something that can be for either a short period of time, or a long period of time, and it can also be connected to situational experiences.
Intra-role conflict occurs when the demands are within a single domain of life, such as on the job. An example would be when two superiors ask an employee to do a task, and both cannot be accomplished at the same time. Inter-role conflict occurs across domains of life. An example of inter-role conflict would be a husband and father who is also Chief of Police. If a Tornado strikes the small town he is living in, the man has to decide if he should go home and be with his family and fulfill the role of being a good husband and father or remain and fulfill the duties of a “good” Chief of Police because the whole town needs his expertise.
Conflict among the roles begins because of the human desire to reach success, and because of the pressure put on an individual by two imposing and incompatible demands competing against each other. The effects of role conflict, as found through case-studies and nationwide surveys, are related to individual Personality characteristics and interpersonal relations. Individual personality characteristic conflicts can arise within personality role conflict where “aspects of an individual’s personality are in conflict with other aspects of that same individual’s personality”. Interpersonal relations can cause conflict because they are by definition “having an association between two or more people that may range from fleeting to enduring, which can cause that conflict.”
When one has multiple role responsibilities, duties or demands from Education, job or family relationships, it can be hard to manage. Additionally, the responsibilities are manageable while other times it can be hard to manage especially when one is living in a low income household.
Homeless men and gender
Homelessness is a situation that takes a heavy toll on anyone, especially men with children or dependents. Traditional gender roles describe men as being the providers. Homeless men are often unemployed thus lack the means to provide the Resources that their family needs. This can cause high levels of distress in men. Homeless men may also become the sole caregiver of their children during homelessness. This can lead to high Stress levels in men because they are expected to take on the role of both provider and nurturer. The transition can be very overwhelming.
In prisons
Prisons are filled predominantly with male inmates. This may be due to the dominant construction of masculinity, which inclines males to criminality and violence. Dominant masculinity is symbolized by control, independence, heterosexuality, aggressiveness, authority, and a capacity for violence in American culture. When a male finds themselves lacking in one of these areas they may be driven to make up for it in another area; such as when a poor, jobless young man tries to show masculinity by carrying a gun or wearing gang related clothing. When one is in prison, many of the resources use to assert masculinity are not readily available, thus men seek other ways to proclaim their masculinity. Many inmates find in imperative to put on a mask of hyper-masculinity, which may conflict with their normal personality, in order to maintain their status within the prison. This expectation to maintain a certain idea of masculinity “contradicts basic human needs and desires for intimacy and emotional expression, creating stress and conflict between men’s core selves and social expectations.
Role conflict is seen not only in the inmates of the prison, but also the prison personnel. There are two types of prisons: custody prisons and treatment prisons. The main goal of a custody prison is to protect the community by maintaining control over the inmates. The correctional officers are expected to maintain order, enforce rules, and keep custody. A key rule to their job is that interaction between inmates and officers is to remain distant. The main goal of a treatment prison is to protect the community by rehabilitating the inmate. The Officers are expected to respond to inmates in a therapeutic manner and develop ties with the inmates. Currently prisons are combining the two types of custody and the staff is experiencing role conflict. Officers are being asked to do conflicting jobs such as remain socially distant while also building close, supportive relationships with inmates. This emphasis on the combination of custody and treatment often results in two distinguished, mutually antagonistic groups of staff.
Role clarity and role ambiguity
One of the main causes of role conflict is role ambiguity, which is the lack of certainty in what a certain role in an organization requires. This can be the result or poor Communication of job duties or unclear instructions from a supervisor. This can lead to role conflict when there are contradicting ideas as to what tasks are supposed to be accomplished. Team members can then be uncertain of their role and their teammate’s roles to the team and team objectives begin to conflict with one another. The solution to this problem and role conflict as a whole can come from role clarity. As its name suggests, role clarity is clearly defining roles and objectives so as to reduce role conflict and role ambiguity. To do this, employers need to clearly communicate with employees as to the goals of a project. Also, employees should be fully aware of their role in the group and their responsibilities. It is helpful if one develops and maintains a working Environment where workers have communication and if needed, feedback can be provided. Encouragement is another form of clarity. If one has a question or is not clear about a specific role that has been given to them, workers can communicate. Make sure the person understands their roles and duties to avoid any mistakes that can occur, and ensure that workers have an up-to-date role so they can manage their roles accordingly.
Within a workplace
Working with groups – especially in a work or committee setting – can sometimes result in role conflict if an individual feels that his or her roles are in opposition. These roles may be in conflict for many reasons. For example, the role taker may misunderstand the role sender’s prescribed tasks or the miscommunication can occur the other way, as well. If a role taker is seemingly enthusiastic about taking on many tasks within various roles, this may be communicated to the role sender and he or she may be given conflicting role requirements. Role conflict can pair with role ambiguity – a situation in which the expectations of a role are ill-defined – to create role stress, which is detrimental to workplace performance. Role stress has also been linked to decreased job satisfaction and employee turnover. To avoid role conflict within a work place, managers should outline specifically the duties required by an employee to avoid any miscommunication or confusion. Feedback should also be provided to employees, as this explicitly illustrates if the role-taker is properly performing the role requirements and can assist the role-taker if there are any concerns. Steps should be taken to avoid the crossover of potentially conflicting roles and if two or more roles are required of an employee, these roles should be separated by time and place if possible.
Inter-role
Interpersonal role conflict occurs when the source of the dilemma stems from occupancy of more than one focal position. For example, as a husband and a father in a social system a superintendent may think his wife and children expect him to spend most of his evenings with them. However, his school board and P.T.A. groups, he may feel, expect him (as their school superintendent) to spend most of his after-office hours on educational and civic activities. The superintendent usually cannot satisfy both of these incompatible expectations.
Intra-role
Intra-personal role conflict occurs when an individual in one role believes that others have many different expectations for him/her in regards to that role. “The school superintendent, for example, may feel that the teachers expect him to be their spokesperson and leader, to take their side on such matters as salary increases and institutional policy. However, the superintendent may feel that the school board members expect him to represent them, to “sell” their views to the staff because he is the executive officer and the administrator of school board policies”.
,
Social change is the process by which the structure and function of Society are altered over time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including technological innovation, Economic Development, political upheaval, and cultural shifts.
Modernization is a process of social change that involves the transition from a traditional to a modern society. It is characterized by a number of features, including industrialization, Urbanization, economic development, political development, and cultural change.
Industrialization is the process of transforming a society from an agricultural economy to one based on manufacturing. It is characterized by the development of factories, the use of machinery, and the Growth of a large urban workforce.
Urbanization is the process of Population growth in urban areas. It is characterized by the growth of cities, the development of suburbs, and the decline of rural areas.
Economic development is the process of increasing the wealth and productivity of a country. It is characterized by the growth of the economy, the rise in living standards, and the improvement of Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
Political development is the process of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of a government. It is characterized by the development of democratic institutions, the Rule of Law, and the protection of Human Rights.
Cultural change is the process of change in the values, beliefs, and customs of a society. It is characterized by the rise of new ideas, the decline of old traditions, and the increasing diversity of cultures.
Technological change is the process of change in the way that people use technology. It is characterized by the development of new technologies, the improvement of existing technologies, and the increasing impact of technology on society.
Social movements are organized efforts to bring about social change. They can be based on a variety of issues, including civil rights, environmental protection, and economic Justice.
Revolution is a radical change in the political structure of a society. It is typically characterized by violence, the overthrow of the existing government, and the establishment of a new government.
Counter-revolution is an attempt to reverse the effects of a revolution. It is typically characterized by violence, the overthrow of the new government, and the restoration of the old government.
Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization is the process of increasing interconnectedness between countries and people around the world. It is characterized by the growth of international trade, the spread of technology, and the increasing flow of people, ideas, and information.
Postmodernity is a social condition that is characterized by the decline of traditional values and beliefs, the rise of individualism, and the increasing diversity of cultures.
Globalization and social change are closely linked. Globalization can lead to social change by introducing new ideas, technologies, and ways of life to societies. Social change can also lead to globalization by creating new opportunities for trade and Investment.
Social change in the 21st century is being driven by a number of factors, including technological innovation, economic development, political upheaval, and cultural shifts. Technological innovation is leading to the development of new technologies that are changing the way that people live and work. Economic development is leading to the growth of the global economy and the increasing interconnectedness of countries and people around the world. Political upheaval is leading to the rise of new political movements and the decline of old political institutions. Cultural shifts are leading to the increasing diversity of cultures and the decline of traditional values and beliefs.
The future of social change is uncertain. However, it is likely that social change will continue to be driven by technological innovation, economic development, political upheaval, and cultural shifts.
What is social change?
Social change is the process by which the structure and function of society are altered over time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including technological innovation, economic development, political upheaval, and cultural shifts.
What are the different types of social change?
There are many different types of social change, but some of the most common include:
Evolutionary change: This type of change is slow and gradual, and it occurs as a result of small, incremental adjustments to the way society operates.
Revolutionary change: This type of change is sudden and dramatic, and it often occurs as a result of a major event or crisis.
Reformative change: This type of change is intentional and planned, and it is designed to improve the way society operates.
Destructive change: This type of change is negative and harmful, and it can lead to the breakdown of social order.
What are the causes of social change?
The causes of social change are numerous and complex, but some of the most common include:
Technological innovation: New technologies can have a profound impact on society, as they can create new opportunities and challenges. For example, the invention of the printing press led to the spread of Literacy and knowledge, while the development of the Internet has revolutionized communication and commerce.
Economic development: Economic growth can lead to changes in social structure, as it can create new wealth and opportunities. For example, the Industrial revolution led to the rise of a new middle class, while the rise of the service economy has led to the growth of a new professional class.
Political upheaval: Political revolutions can lead to dramatic changes in society, as they can overthrow existing power structures and create new ones. For example, the French Revolution led to the establishment of a republic, while the Russian Revolution led to the establishment of a communist state.
Cultural shifts: Cultural changes can also lead to social change, as they can alter the way people think and behave. For example, the rise of individualism has led to a decline in traditional values, while the rise of feminism has led to a greater Equality between men and Women.
What are the effects of social change?
The effects of social change can be both positive and negative. On the positive side, social change can lead to progress, as it can create new opportunities and improve the Quality Of Life. For example, the Industrial Revolution led to the development of new technologies that improved people’s lives, while the rise of Democracy has led to greater freedom and equality. On the negative side, social change can also lead to problems, as it can disrupt social order and create new challenges. For example, the Industrial Revolution led to pollution and social unrest, while the rise of globalization has led to job losses and economic inequality.
How can we manage social change?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to manage social change will vary depending on the specific situation. However, some general tips include:
Be prepared for change: It is important to be aware of the potential for social change and to be prepared for it. This means understanding the causes of change, the potential effects of change, and the best ways to manage change.
Be flexible: Social change can be unpredictable, so it is important to be flexible and adaptable. This means being willing to change course as needed and to be open to new ideas.
Communicate effectively: Communication is key to managing social change. This means communicating with all stakeholders, including those who are affected by the change, those who can help to implement the change, and those who can help to prevent or mitigate the negative effects of the change.
Build consensus: It is important to build consensus around social change. This means getting everyone on board with the change and ensuring that everyone understands the reasons for the change and the potential benefits and risks of the change.
Empower people: Social change is more likely to be successful if people feel empowered to participate in the change process. This means giving people a voice in the decision-making process and providing them with the resources they need to implement the change.
Monitor progress: It is important to monitor the progress of social change and to make adjustments as needed. This means tracking the implementation of the change, assessing the impact of the change, and making changes to the change plan as needed.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a characteristic of modernization?
(A) Increased urbanization (B) Increased industrialization (C) Increased social mobility (D) Increased religious fundamentalism
Answer (D)
Explanation Religious fundamentalism is a reaction to modernization, not a characteristic of it.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a factor that contributes to social change?
(A) Technological innovation (B) Economic development (C) Political upheaval (D) War
Answer (A)
Explanation Technological innovation is a factor that contributes to social change, but it is not the only factor. Economic development, political upheaval, and war can also contribute to social change.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a type of social change?
Explanation Linear change is not a type of social change. Evolutionary change, revolutionary change, and cyclical change are all types of social change.
Question 4
Which of the following is not a consequence of social change?
Explanation Increased stability is not a consequence of social change. Increased diversity, increased conflict, and increased innovation are all consequences of social change.
Question 5
Which of the following is not a theory of social change?
(A) Functionalism (B) Conflict theory (C) Symbolic interactionism (D) Modernization theory
Answer (D)
Explanation Modernization theory is not a theory of social change. Functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism are all theories of social change.