the "role play" logic can abide by anything. When Im playing ArmA 2 I *could* say Im role playing a soldier, when Im playing Goldeneye im "role playing" James Bond, etc, etc. That does not make ArmA or Goldeneye role playing games.
To be a role playing game, it requires that the player's character does not abide by the player's skills and abilities. The character has their own skills and inherit abilities, and it's up to the player to control the character, and the player's overall effectiveness in quests will be defined by how they control their character, and what the characters strengths and weaknesses are in comparison to those of other characters in the game world.
Yes I could role play 007 I know this.
In the game I try to build my stats based around the persona for my character in game and I am sure others do this as well. Also the scenarios that my character interacts with the world farther shape them.