The work of George Herbert Mead and Jean Piaget is stimulating interest among the social sciences in role‐taking behavior as an intervening variable affecting human communication. This paper clarifies the concept of role‐taking and distinguishes role‐taking from related constructs with which it has been confused. It is shown, however, that clarification of role‐taking requires serious consideration of the related concept of role‐playing. The product of these considerations is a discussion of some implications for communication theory and research suggested by the conceptualizations and distinctions developed in t