In sociology, what term describes the expected behaviors and attitudes associated with a particular social position?

The concept of roles in sociology refers to the expected behaviors and attitudes that individuals adopt in relation to their social positions. Each role comes with a set of expectations about how a person should behave based on their specific social context, such as being a teacher, student, parent, or friend. Roles help to structure social interactions and provide a framework for understanding how individuals are expected to behave in various situations.

This idea is distinct from norms, which are the broader rules or guidelines for behavior within a society or group. While norms influence roles, they do not encapsulate the specific behaviors associated with a social position. Status refers to a social position itself, often defined by hierarchy or prestige, but it does not inherently include the expectations tied to that position. Values are deeply held beliefs that guide individual behavior and decision-making within a society but are not specific to roles. Thus, roles uniquely capture the expected behaviors and attitudes linked with particular social positions.