The functionality of the role concept

Abstract

Starting from the psychodramatist's role performance, the author of this article places the role concept into the discursive and perceptive field of socionomic practice and, based on its clinical use, distinguishes three possible functions of this concept: the role as a designation of observable behaviours, the role as supposed subjective meaning and, the role as a manifestation of the subject's expression, i.e. who speaks and who is spoken of. The author understands role-creating as a means, a zone of tension generated between role-taking and role-playing that enables creation, a unique output that goes beyond what is established by given behavioural guidelines.