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Role Primacy

The precedence of one role over another is called role primacy. The primacy of a role is determined by the extent to which it is important or essential to the individuals. Role primacy is not simply an individual matter. The primacy of particular role varies with historical, cultural and situational factors and structure of a society or a social group is crucial in the determination of role primacy for its members. There is tendency toward consensus regarding the content of roles in interaction. There is a tendency for stabilized roles to be assigned the character of legitimate expectations implying that deviation from expectations is a breach of rules. The degree to which ego ascribes legitimacy to his expectations for alters role varies directly with the degree to which the selection and enactment of his role depend on altar's role and role behavior.

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