Role strain occurs due to:

Study for the PRCC Sociology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Role strain occurs when an individual experiences difficulty in meeting the demands associated with a single social role. This strain is characterized by conflicting expectations or pressures that are inherent to that one role. For instance, a student might feel overwhelmed by the high expectations to perform academically while also managing extracurricular commitments. This internal conflict can lead to stress and a feeling of being stretched too thin, ultimately impacting the individual's ability to fulfill their role effectively.

In contrast, conflicting demands from multiple roles would lead to role conflict, where a person navigates the challenges of balancing different roles, such as being a parent and an employee. Undefined social expectations can create ambiguity in roles but do not directly lead to strain within a single role. Likewise, a lack of support might contribute to overall stress, but it is not the root cause of role strain itself, which is specifically linked to pressures within one role.

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