What term describes when the expectations from two separate roles clash?

• A. Role conflict
• B. Inter role conflict
• C. Intra role conflict
• D. Cross-role tension

Answer: (B)

When two separate roles impose competing demands, the situation is called interrole conflict. The key idea is that the clash comes from expectations across different social roles you hold, such as being a parent and being an employee, pulling you in two directions at once. For example, a work deadline may require staying late, while a child's event at school needs your presence during that time. That contrast between distinct roles is what defines interrole conflict. Within a single role, you might experience tension from conflicting expectations of that one role—that’s intrarole conflict, which is a different idea. While you might hear role conflict as a general term, interrole conflict precisely describes clashes between different roles.