Goffman's role distance concept: behaviors perceived as expressing detachment, disaffection, or resistance against a situated role¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The paper presents Goffman's role distance concept as the analytical tool proposed for operationalizing authenticity. Goffman defines role distance variously as "expressive denial of the virtual self that is implied in a role," "'effectively' expressed pointed separateness between the individual and his putative role," and "actions effectively conveying some detachment of the performer from a role he is performing." The concept provides a sociological means of dealing with divergence between role obligation and actual role performance, and the author argues role distance is almost as much subject to role analysis as the core tasks of roles themselves.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Observation of the actor by present others, since role distance behaviors are defined as those perceived by present others as suggestive of disaffection or resistance against a role

Constraints¶

• The concept addresses one type of divergence between role obligation and actual role performance, situated within Goffman's scheme of situated activity systems, though the author argues it can also be observed impressionistically beyond such systems

Target Learners¶

• School administrators and teachers in organizational climate research

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Understanding and measuring role enactment and authenticity in school organizational climates

Claims¶

• Role Distance Dimension Of Authenticity [+M]

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

• Make ambiguous behavioral-science constructs empirically tractable by linking them to better-behaved concepts from related nomological networks

Key Sources¶

• Brumbaugh, Robert B. (1968). Authenticity, Role Distance, and Organizational Climate: Toward a Conceptual Clarification. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED026738