| role | The expected and characteristic pattern of behaviour exhibited by an individual as a member of a particular social group. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| role conflict | The dilemma an individual experiences when required to play two different parts (e.g., spouse and aggressive business competitor) that cannot be easily harmonised. (05 Mar 2000) |
| role playing | 1. The adopting or performing the role of another significant individual in order to gain insight into the behaviour of that person. 2. <psychology> A psychotherapeutic method used in psychodrama to understand and treat emotional conflicts through the enactment or re-enactment of stressful interpersonal events. See: psychodrama. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gender role | The sex of a child assigned by a parent; when opposite to the child's anatomical sex (e.g., due to genital ambiguity at birth or to the parents' strong wish for a child of the opposite sex), the basis is set for postpubertal dysfunctions. See: sex role, sex reversal. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| physician's role | The expected and characteristic behaviour of a physician as a member of the medical profession. (12 Dec 1998) |
| complementary role | A role in which the behaviour pattern conforms with the expectations and demands of other people. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sex role | The degree to which an individual acts out a stereotypical masculine or feminine role in everyday behaviour. Compare: gender role. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sick role | Behaviour patterns consistent with those expected of an individual functioning in a state of ill health. (12 Dec 1998) |
| noncomplementary role | A role that does not conform with the expectations and demands of other people. (05 Mar 2000) |