Question 9

Differentiate between multiple roles and role sets.

Answer

Robert K Merton gave the distinction between multiple roles and role sets. Role set refers to several roles occupied by a person associated with a single status. While Multiple statuses refer to several statuses of a person. In the role set, each person has an associated status. Role set means a collection of different roles that lead to the formation of major roles. Multiple roles mean a person can play different roles.

Multiple roles– a student can be a player, a delivery boy, and a son.

Role set– a doctor has role set with patients, staff, nurses, and medical students.