Role set

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According to Erving Goffman a role set is the various kinds of relevant audiences for a particular role. [1] Robert K. Merton describes "role set" as the "complement of social relationships in which persons are involved because they occupy a particular social status." [2] For instance, the role of a doctor has a role set comprising colleagues, nurses, patients, hospital administrators, etc.

The term "role set" was coined by Merton in 1957. He made a clear distinction between a "role set" and a "status set". [3]

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References

  1. Erving Goffman (1961). Encounters. Bobbs-Merrill.
  2. Robert K. Merton (1968). Social theory and social structure. Free Press.
  3. Robert K. Merton "On social structure and science" ISBN   0-226-52071-4, page 113