In sociology, which concept arises when the demands of two roles clash?

In sociology, which concept arises when the demands of two roles clash?

• A. Role conflict
• B. Role overload
• C. Identity diffusion
• D. Anomie

Answer: (A)

Role conflict happens when the demands of two social roles that a person occupies pull in opposite directions, making it hard to fulfill both at once. For example, a worker who is also a parent may face a scheduling clash between a shift at work and a child’s school event, so meeting the expectations of one role means falling short of the other. This tension arises because different roles carry different norms and obligations, and when those obligations contradict each other, individuals experience difficulty juggling them. In contrast, role overload is about too many duties within a single role, identity diffusion relates to uncertainty about one’s self-concept, and anomie refers to a breakdown of social norms—concepts that don’t describe clashes between separate roles.

Role conflict happens when the demands of two social roles that a person occupies pull in opposite directions, making it hard to fulfill both at once. For example, a worker who is also a parent may face a scheduling clash between a shift at work and a child’s school event, so meeting the expectations of one role means falling short of the other. This tension arises because different roles carry different norms and obligations, and when those obligations contradict each other, individuals experience difficulty juggling them. In contrast, role overload is about too many duties within a single role, identity diffusion relates to uncertainty about one’s self-concept, and anomie refers to a breakdown of social norms—concepts that don’t describe clashes between separate roles.