Role Conflict

What Is Role Conflict?

Role conflict is an element of organizational behavior--the study of how organizations and their members interact-- that describes a situation in which you're forced to take on multiple jobs with multiple roles, or a single job with multiple roles, and are forced to make a choice between them or compromise in a way that does not satisfy either role.

When Role Conflict Occure

Role conflict occurs when the expectations of different roles conflict with one another. For example, a working mother with a sick child. The expectations of the worker is that they go to work. The expectations of the mother is to care for the sick child. The expectations of the worker role and the the expectations of the mother of a sick child role conflict with one another. 

Difference Between Role Conflict and Role Strain?

Answer

Role conflict refers to the hostility experienced by different groups in a community such as sports teams, ethnic and religious groups. Role strains on the other are the stresses associated with certain roles and positions in the society.

Types Of Coflict and factors

Religious Role Conflict

Religious role conflict occurs when there are changes in the different dimensions of religious roles. Unfortunately, It is not possible to know if changes in one aspect of one's religious commitment result in religious role conflict. But according to previous research, it in fact suggests it does find some support for the idea that changing beliefs lead to role conflict within religion.

Social Factors Among Low-Income Adults Living

When one has multiple role responsibilities, duties or demands from education, job or family relationships it can be hard to manage. Additionally, the responsibilities are manageable while other times it can be hard to manage especially when one is living in a low income household.

Homeless Men and Gender Role Conflict

Homelessness is a situation that takes a heavy toll on anyone, especially men with children or dependents. Traditional gender roles describe men as being the providers. Homeless men are often unemployed thus lack the means to provide the resources that their family needs. This can cause high levels of distress in men. Homeless men may also become the sole caregiver of their children during homelessness. This can lead to high stress levels in men because they are expected to take on the role of both provider and nurturer. The transition can be very overwhelming.

Role Conflict in Prisons

Prisons are filled predominantly with male inmates. This may be due to the dominant construction of masculinity, which inclines males to criminality and violence. Dominant masculinity is symbolized by control, independence, heterosexuality, aggressiveness, authority, and a capacity for violence in American culture. When a male finds themselves lacking in one of these areas they may be driven to make up for it in another area; such as when a poor, jobless young man tries to show masculinity by carrying a gun or wearing gang related clothing. 

Role Conflict Within a Workplace

Working with groups - especially in a work or committee setting - can sometimes result in role conflict if an individual feels that his or her roles are in opposition. These roles may be in conflict for many reasons. For example, the role taker may misunderstand the role sender's prescribed tasks or the miscommunication can occur the other way, as well. If a role taker is seemingly enthusiastic about taking on many tasks within various roles, this may be communicated to the role sender and he or she may be given conflicting role requirements. Role conflict can pair with role ambiguity - a situation in which the expectations of a role are ill-defined - to create role stress, which is detrimental to workplace performance. Role stress has also been linked to decreased job satisfaction and employee turnover

Effect of Role Conflict on Men

Men generally are more restrictive than women when it comes to expressing their emotions. At times this can be a positive attribute; they are typically more level headed. This characteristic is also harmful not only to the individual but to the people with whom he interacts with. When men are not able to verbalize their feelings they can build up within the individual causing large amounts of stress and anxiety. Their inability to express emotions also inhibits their ability to form meaningful connections with the people around them. They may come across as cold or detached. Many men experience gender role conflict in response to deeper issues such as depression, low-self esteem, and anxiety. Recognizing the problem and developing flexible behaviour are two effective ways for men to cope with gender role conflicts.