Role vs. Function
Main DifferenceThe main difference between role and function is that role is a part played by someone in a specific circumstance, whereas function is the natural purpose of something or the duty of someone.
Difference Between Role and Function
Role vs. Function
The role is a part played by someone in a specific circumstance, whereas function is the natural purpose of something or the duty of someone.
Role vs. Function
An individual can perform different roles in different frameworks, and every role involves a different set of functions and responsibilities while in function, each role has different functions related to it.
Role vs. Function
The role is a situation that one gets by its virtue; on the other hand, the function is the act that a role demands.
Role vs. Function
A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc.; on the contrary, a teacher’s functions include teaching the students, assessing the student’s knowledge, and organizing the lessons, etc.
Rolenoun
A character or part played by a performer or actor.
My neighbor was the lead role in last year's village play.Her dream was to get a role in a Hollywood movie, no matter how small.Functionnoun
What something does or is used for.
Rolenoun
The expected behaviour of an individual in a society.
The role of women has changed significantly in the last century.Functionnoun
A professional or official position.
Rolenoun
The function or position of something.
Local volunteers played an important role in cleaning the beach after the oil spill.What rôle does the wax in your earhole fulfill?Functionnoun
An official or social occasion.
Rolenoun
Designation that denotes an associated set of responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and attitudes
The project manager role is responsible for ensuring that everyone on the team knows and executes his or her assigned tasks.Functionnoun
A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
Rolenoun
(grammar): The function of a word in a phrase.
Functionnoun
(mathematics) A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain.
Rolenoun
the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group;
the function of a teacherthe government must do its partplay its roleFunctionnoun
(computing) A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
Rolenoun
an actor's portrayal of someone in a play;
she played the part of DesdemonaFunctionnoun
(biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
Rolenoun
what something is used for;
the function of an auger is to bore holesballet is beautiful but what use is it?Functionnoun
(chemistry) The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
Rolenoun
normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting;
what is your role on the team?Functionnoun
(anthropology) The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.
Functionverb
(intransitive) To have a function.
Functionverb
(intransitive) To carry out a function; to be in action.
Functionnoun
a mathematical relation such that each element of one set is associated with at least one element of another set
Functionnoun
what something is used for;
the function of an auger is to bore holesballet is beautiful but what use is it?Functionnoun
the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group;
the function of a teacherthe government must do its partplay its roleFunctionnoun
a relation such that one thing is dependent on another;
height is a function of ageprice is a function of supply and demandFunctionnoun
a formal or official social gathering or ceremony;
it was a black-tie functionFunctionnoun
a vaguely specified social event;
the party was quite an affairan occasion arranged to honor the presidenta seemingly endless round of social functionsFunctionnoun
a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
Functionverb
perform as expected when applied;
The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged inDoes this old car still run well?This old radio doesn't work anymoreFunctionverb
serve a purpose, role, or function;
The tree stump serves as a tableThe female students served as a control groupThis table would serve very wellHis freedom served him wellThe table functions as a deskFunctionverb
perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function;
His wife officiated as his private secretaryComparison Chart
| Role | Function |
| The role is a part played by someone in a specific circumstance. | The function is the natural purpose of something or the duty of someone. |
| Meaning | |
| A part played by someone in a specific condition | Natural purpose of something or the duty of someone. |
| Interrelation | |
| An individual can perform different roles in different frameworks | Each role has different functions related to it |
| Purpose | |
| A situation that one gets by its virtue | The act that a role demands |
| Examples | |
| A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc. | A teacher’s functions include teaching the students, assessing the student’s knowledge, and organizing the lessons, etc. |
Role vs. Function
The role is a part played by someone in a specific circumstance, whereas function is the natural purpose of something or the duty of someone. An individual can perform different roles in different frameworks, and every role involves a different set of functions and responsibilities while in function, each role has different functions related to it. The role is a situation that one gets by its virtue; on the other hand, the function is the act that a role demands. A teacher plays the role of mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc.; on the contrary, a teacher’s functions 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. Nevertheless, different roles are associated with different functions, responsibilities, and duties. Such as the role of a mother comprises responsibility of protecting her child from any harm whereas the role of a child comprises the duty of respecting his 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 disciplinarian, 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’ i.e., what the person does in his professional ability in that position of his. Such as a doctor’s role involve identifying the different medical condition and treating patients.
Factors Influencing Role Development
- Societal Influence: The arrangement of society often forms individuals into their certain roles built on the social situations they choose to experience. Parents registering their children in certain programs at a young age increases the chance that the child will follow that certain role.
- Genetic Predisposition: People adopt roles that come naturally to them. Those with athletic ability normally accept roles of athletes. Those with mental genius and great knowledge often handle roles devoted to education and knowledge. This discussion does not mean that people must select only one path; each individual can experience reappearance in multiple roles.
- Cultural Influence: Different cultures place different morals on certain roles founded on their lifestyle. For example, soccer players are regarded higher 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 a person is put in outside their influence.
Examples
- A teacher plays the role of a mediator, organizer, facilitator, confidant, etc.
- The role of a police officer is to ensure that the law is obeyed.
- What’s Jack’s role in this drama?
What is a Function?
The function is the natural purpose of something or the duty of someone. It also means the purpose or action for which a thing or a person is employed or suited. The oxford dictionary defines the function as “practical purpose or use in design.” In simple terms, the function mentions the natural purpose of something or the duty of a person — for instance, the function of veins in the body to carry blood from the body towards the heart. Also, the function of a security guard is to make sure the security of a place. People who play various roles in society has various functions according to it. The same applies to organizations and companies. For instance, the function of a sales assistant is not the same as the function of the assistant manager of that company. Functions in this framework talk about the duties held by a certain position. The word role is frequently used synonymously with function.
Examples
- A teacher’s functions include teaching the students, assessing the student’s knowledge, and organizing the lessons, etc.
- Within the company, no one knows what his function is.
- Jackson performs several important functions within the company.
- His chief function is to provide legal advice to the company.
ConclusionAbove discussion concludes that role is a part played by someone in a specific circumstance, whereas function is the natural purpose of something or the duty of someone.
