The sick role is a concept in medical sociology, developed by Talcott Parsons, that describes the societal expectations and norms surrounding the attitudes and behaviour of a person who is viewed as being ill. According to this concept, when individuals are sick, they are generally expected to adopt certain behaviours, such as seeking medical attention, trying to get well, and cooperating with healthcare professionals. In return, they are often granted certain exemptions from normal social responsibilities, such as work or school, and are not held responsible for their condition. However, these exemptions are typically conditional on the individual actively trying to recover and return to their normal social roles. The sick role highlights the social aspects of illness and how society shapes our understanding and responses to being sick.