Which term in Social Role Theory describes the lack of clarity about a role?

• A. Role Ambiguity
• B. Role Complementary
• C. Role Discomplementary
• D. Role Reversal

Answer: (A)

In Social Role Theory, role ambiguity describes not knowing what is expected within a given role. When duties, responsibilities, and acceptable behaviors aren’t clearly defined or communicated, a person is unsure about what to do, how to act, and how success is judged. That uncertainty is what makes it the term that fits the description.

If roles fit together smoothly, you have role complementarity. If there’s a mismatch or friction between what a role requires and what others expect, that’s role discomplementarity. And swapping roles—for example, a parent taking on a child’s role—is role reversal, not a lack of clarity about the role’s expectations.