Sociology / Unit 10 Soc 1785 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Value-Added Theory
Captions available
The idea
Value-added theory, Smelser's functionalist account, holds collective behavior requires six conditions: structural conduciveness, structural strain, generalized belief, precipitating event, mobilization, and social control.
In practice
A community's structural strain over a grievance, sharpened by a triggering event and followed by organized mobilization, illustrates the sequence.
Where people slip
Each condition adds to the likelihood of collective behavior; the theory does not claim it is guaranteed once present.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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