Reading Activities and Notes
Chapter 4 Section 1
Status and Roles Comprehension
Directions: Review the first chart. Review the definitions for status and roles and
study the given examples. Answer the question below the chart.
Status
Fire Fighter
Mother
Examples of Roles
1.
2.
3.
4.
Putting fires out
Saving lives
Wearing a uniform
Driving a fire truck
1.
2.
3.
4.
Providing food and shelter
nurturing family
disciplining children
cleaning house
Question: Read the chart above. In the space below, explain the difference between the statuses
and roles.
Complete the following chart by filling in the missing status and roles.
1. Usually, earns money to take care
of the family.
2. Usually makes the major
decisions for the family.
3. Often likes to watch/play sports.
Movie Star
*****Read Chapter 4 Section 1*****
Reading Activities and Notes
Complete the chart below by reading the directions in each box.
Status
Examples of Roles
State one status you occupy in this
box.
State 3 roles of the status listed to the left.
State one status you occupy in this
box.
State 3 roles of the status listed to the left.
Concept
Status
Master Status
Role
Role Set
Define the following concepts:
Definition
Reading Activities and Notes
Status/Role Web Charts
Directions: For the following status web charts below, type in your master status in
the center circle. Then, in the outer circles, state the role set that accompanies the
status by describing the roles in the surrounding circles. Do the same thing for your
secondary status web chart.
Master Status
(Role
description)
(Role
description)
(Role
description)
[MASTER
STATUS]
(Role
description)
(Role
description)
Reading Activities and Notes
Secondary Status
(Role
description)
(Role
description)
(Role
description)
[SECONDARY
STATUS]
(Role
description)
(Role
description)
Define the following concepts:
Concept
Reciprocal Roles
Role Conflict
Role Strain
Definition
Reading Activities and Notes
Answer the following questions in the space below each item.
1. What is the reciprocal role example provided in the book? List 3 pairs of statuses
that would contain reciprocal roles. Explain why each status has a reciprocal role.
2. In either of your status web charts above, are their any reciprocal roles that help
define your status. If so, what are the reciprocal roles?
Complete the chart below:
Directions: Complete the chart below by providing the book example and your
example. In the last two columns describe the differences between Role Strain and
Role Conflict.
Book Example
Your
Example
Similarity
Difference
Role Strain
Role Conflict
Review the two Status Webs Charts above and
answer the following questions:

Examine your master status. What are the role strains you experience when
fulfilling your master status? Explain how you experience this strain.

Examine both statuses you identified. What are some possible role conflicts that
might occur between these two statuses? Explain these conflicts and why they
might happen.
Vocabulary Synthesis: For each word, create your own synthesized definition using
your own words. Review the VRS and the notes above. Then, synthesize the two
definitions to create one definition for the key terms below. Do not use the book for
this exercise.
Word
Role
Definition
Concept Synthesis
Role Expectations:
Expectations
Ascribed
Status
Ascribed Status:
Reading Activities and Notes
Achieved Status:
Achieved
Status
Role Performance:
Role
Performance
Complete the chart below:
Book Example
Your
Example
Similarity
Difference
Ascribed Status
Achieved Status
1. In your Status Web Charts above, describe whether your statuses are ascribed
statuses or achieved statuses. Explain why!!!
2. In the right column list 3 status examples you have not use above. In the second
column, describe at least two role expectations for each example status. Finally,
in the third column, explain each status’s role performance problems.
Status
Role Expectations
Role Performance Problems
Example: Doctor
Example: Treat patients with
skill
Treat patients with care
Honest with patients
Example: Doctor focuses on
making money and ignores
patient needs.