Role-playing

Role-playing is changing one's behaviour to assume a role. This can be deliberately to act out an adopted role, or unconsciously to fill a social role.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines role-playing as "the changing of one's behaviour to fulfill a social role".[1] However, in the field of social psychology, the term is used more loosely:

  • To refer to the playing of roles generally, such as in a theatre or educational setting;
  • To refer to taking a role of a character or person and acting it out with a partner taking someone else's role;
  • To refer to a wide range of games including role-playing video game (RPG), play-by-mail games and more;
  • To refer specifically to role-playing games.[2]

References

  1. "Definition of Role Playing from the Oxford English Dictionary". Askoxford.com. Archived from the original on 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  2. Rilstone, Andrew. "Role-playing games: an overview" 1994, Inter*Action #1".