Final answer:
A training method where participants are assigned roles to act out in specific situations is known as role-playing. It helps in exploring different perspectives and behaviors through an alter ego, encouraging understanding and insight. This method finds its roots in dramaturgy and can parallel both theatrical and athletic forms of performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
A training method in which roles are assigned to participants, who then act out the way they would handle a specific situation, falls under the concept of role-playing, which is widely used in various educational and professional settings to simulate real-life scenarios. This approach is rooted in the sociological concept of dramaturgy, as presented by Erving Goffman, who suggested that individuals perform roles according to the social setting and audience present, much like actors on a stage.
The effectiveness of role-playing in training is enhanced by its ability to allow participants to create an alter ego or character. This helps them to externalize and examine the issues from a different perspective, often leading to deeper understanding and insight. In certain forms of this training, such as Drama Therapy, this method is taken a step further by combining theatrical techniques with psychotherapeutic practices to facilitate personal growth and change.
Furthermore, role-playing in training environments can mimic the preparation and performance aspects similar to those experienced by actors, as described by Robert Cohen, where relaxation, presence, and harmony are crucial for successfully carrying out roles. This dynamic also shares parallels with the training of athletes who must also integrate physical and mental awareness into their performances, adapting roles according to different contexts and rules.