Role-playing
A young man in Cincinnati, Ohio once stood on a public square to pose for a warning about disloyalty. This image captures the core of role-playing as described by the Oxford English Dictionary: changing one's behavior to fulfill a social role. In psychology, experts use the term more loosely across four distinct senses. They refer to playing roles generally within theatre or educational settings. Some definitions focus on taking a character's role and acting it out with a partner. Others describe wide-ranging games including video games and play-by-mail formats. A fourth sense refers specifically to role-playing games themselves.
Many children participate in make-believe activities where they adopt specific roles like doctors. These games sometimes take an oppositional nature resulting in popular pastimes such as cops and robbers. Role-playing serves as an important part of a child's psychological development from early childhood. An instance occurs when a child starts to define "I" and separate themself from an adult. This separation marks both the initial condition and result of role play. Experiments found that role-playing resulted in behavioral change among smokers who reported negative attitudes after pretending to be someone diagnosed with lung cancer.
Historical re-enactment has been practiced by adults for millennia across ancient civilizations. The ancient Romans, Han Chinese, and medieval Europeans all organized events where everyone pretended to be from an earlier age. Entertainment appeared to be the primary purpose of these historical activities. Improvisational theatre dates back to the Commedia dell'Arte tradition of the 16th century. Modern improvisational theatre began in classrooms with the "theatre games" of Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone in the 1950s. Viola Spolin insisted her exercises were games involving role-playing as early as 1946. She accurately judged role-playing in theatre as rehearsal and actor training or playing the role of actor versus theatre roles.
A role-playing game is defined as a game where participants assume character roles and collaboratively create stories. Participants determine actions based on characterization while success depends on formal rules and guidelines. Within those rules players may improvise freely since their choices shape direction and outcome. Role-playing also occurs online through group story creation involving anywhere from two to several hundred people. Public forums, private message boards, mailing lists, chatrooms, and instant-messaging services build worlds lasting hours or years. Forum-based roleplays often set minimum word counts and character applications to increase complexity. Players choose genres including fantasy, modern, medieval, steam punk, and historical settings.
Role-playing techniques have been used by researchers studying interpersonal behavior for decades. Kurt Lewin conducted classic social psychological experiments in 1939 that assigned participants to particular roles. Stanley Milgram utilized this method in his famous research during 1963. Phillip Zimbardo employed similar techniques in his landmark study published in 1971. Herbert Kelman suggested role-playing might be "the most promising source" of research methods alternative to deception. These early experiments established the foundation for using role assignment in psychological inquiry. Ethical problems surrounding these methods were later discussed in academic publications like H. Schuler's work from 1982.
One of the first uses of computers simulated real-world conditions for participants role-playing aircraft flight. Flight simulators solved equations of flight to train future pilots effectively. The army began full-time role-playing simulations with soldiers using computers within large-scale training exercises. Specific tasks included weapon firing, vehicle simulators, and control station mock-ups under wartime conditions. Medical education utilizes role-play strategies where pediatric students act as teddy doctors. Children then act as carers of teddy bears requiring consultation in teddy bear hospitals. Programs exist in dozens of universities and medical facilities worldwide to reduce anxiety and improve patient outcomes.
Common questions
What is the definition of role-playing according to the Oxford English Dictionary?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines role-playing as changing one's behavior to fulfill a social role. This core concept captures the essence of assuming different behaviors for specific purposes.
When did modern improvisational theatre begin and who started it?
Modern improvisational theatre began in classrooms with the theater games of Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone in the 1950s. Viola Spolin insisted her exercises were games involving role-playing as early as 1946.
Which researchers conducted famous psychological experiments using role-playing techniques between 1939 and 1971?
Kurt Lewin conducted classic social psychological experiments in 1939 that assigned participants to particular roles. Stanley Milgram utilized this method in his famous research during 1963, and Phillip Zimbardo employed similar techniques in his landmark study published in 1971.
How do online role-playing games function regarding participant numbers and duration?
Role-playing occurs online through group story creation involving anywhere from two to several hundred people. Public forums, private message boards, mailing lists, chatrooms, and instant-messaging services build worlds lasting hours or years.
What historical civilizations practiced re-enactment activities where everyone pretended to be from an earlier age?
The ancient Romans, Han Chinese, and medieval Europeans all organized events where everyone pretended to be from an earlier age. Entertainment appeared to be the primary purpose of these historical activities.