Role strain and role conflict describe which phenomena?

• A. Role strain is when multiple roles conflict in the same person; role conflict is when two roles conflict with each other.
• B. Role strain occurs when one social role has conflicting pressures; role conflict occurs when two roles demand incompatible time commitments.
• C. Role strain and role conflict are identical.
• D. Role strain is about economic requirements; role conflict is about religious obligations.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is the source of the pressure. Role strain happens when the pressures come from within a single role, as you’re trying to meet competing expectations or perform conflicting duties tied to that one role. For example, a parent may be expected to be both nurturing and disciplinary at the same time, or a student may face demands to excel academically while also needing to participate in activities that pull you in different directions. This internal tug within one role is role strain.

Role conflict, on the other hand, arises when you hold two or more roles whose demands clash. The obligations from one role interfere with those of another, often around time or incompatible duties. A classic case is trying to juggle work responsibilities with family duties, where what one role requires cannot be fully met alongside the other.

So the best description is that role strain is about a single role with conflicting pressures, while role conflict is about two roles demanding incompatible commitments.