Difference Between Role and Function
Main difference
The main difference between role and function is that role is a role someone plays in a specific circumstance while function is something’s natural purpose or someone’s duty.
role versus function
Role is a role played by someone in a specific circumstance, while function is something’s natural purpose or someone’s duty. An individual can play different roles in different settings, with each role entailing a different set of roles and responsibilities, while in function, each role has different related functions. The paper is a situation that is obtained by its virtue; on the other hand, the function is the act that demands a role. A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc.; on the contrary, the functions of a teacher include teaching the students, evaluating the student’s knowledge and organizing the lessons, etc.
Comparison chart
| Paper | Function |
| Role is a role played by someone in a specific circumstance. | Function is the natural purpose of something or someone’s duty. |
| Sense | |
| A role played by someone in a specific condition. | Natural purpose of something or duty of someone. |
| Correlation | |
| An individual may play different roles in different settings. | Each role has different related functions |
| Purpose | |
| A situation that is obtained by virtue | The act that demands a role |
| examples | |
| A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc. | The duties of a teacher include teaching the students, assessing the student’s knowledge, and organizing the lessons, etc. |
What is Role?
The role is simply a part played by someone in a specific circumstance. Every individual in this whole world plays different roles in their lives. At home, the role of a parent, child or sibling is played. At work, the role of an employee is played by some individuals. None, different roles are associated with different functions, responsibilities, and duties. Such as the role of a mother comprises the responsibility of protecting her child from any harm whereas the role of a child comprises the duty of respecting her parents. In a professional environment, the role can also discuss the professional position of a person or the part played by a person. For instance, the role of a teacher may include as a disciplinary, mediator of learning, organizer of the lessons, confidant to students, etc. The functions and duties of occupation are also associated with this specific word ‘role’ ie, what the person does in his professional ability in that position of his. Such as a doctor’s role involves identifying the different medical condition and treating patients.
Factors Influencing Role Development
- Social Influence: The disposition of society often shapes individuals into certain roles based on the social situations they choose to experience. Parents who enroll their children in certain programs at a young age increase the chances that the child will follow that particular role.
- Genetic predisposition: People take on roles that come naturally to them. Those with athletic ability typically accept athletic roles. Those with mental genius and great knowledge often manage roles dedicated to education and knowledge. This discussion does not mean that people should select only one path; each individual may experience reappearance in multiple roles.
- Cultural Influence – Different cultures place different morals on certain roles based on their lifestyle. For example, soccer players are considered taller in European countries where soccer is very popular than in the United States, where soccer is less popular.
- Situational Influence: Roles can be transformed or created based on the situation in which a person is placed outside of your influence.
examples
- A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc.
- The role of a police officer is to ensure that the law is obeyed.
- What is the role of Jack in this drama?
What is a function?
Function is the natural purpose of something or someone’s duty. It also means the purpose or action for which a thing or a person is used or adapted. The Oxford Dictionary defines function as “practical purpose or use in design.” In simple terms, function mentions something’s natural purpose or a person’s duty, for example, the function of veins in the body to carry blood from the body to the heart. In addition, the function of a security guard is to ensure the safety of a place. People who play various roles in society have various functions according to it. The same applies to organizations and businesses. For example, the role of a sales assistant is not the same as the role of the assistant manager of that company.
examples
- The duties of a teacher include teaching the students, assessing the student’s knowledge, and organizing the lessons, etc.
- Inside the company, no one knows what their role is.
- Jackson performs several important functions within the company.
- Its main function is to provide legal advice to the company.
Key differences
- Role is a role played by someone in a specific circumstance, while function is something’s natural purpose or someone’s duty.
- An individual can play different roles in different settings, with each role entailing a different set of roles and responsibilities, while in function, each role has different related functions.
- The paper is a situation that is obtained by its virtue; on the other hand, the function is the act that demands a role.
- A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc.; on the contrary, the functions of a teacher include teaching the students, evaluating the student’s knowledge and organizing the lessons, etc.
Final Thought
The above discussion concludes that role is a role someone plays in a specific circumstance, while function is something’s natural purpose or someone’s duty.