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value-added theory

Definition of Value-added Theory

(noun) According to Neil Smelser (1930–2017), the theory that for collective behavior to occur, several preconditions or determinants must exist.

Determinants of Collective Behavior

  • Structural Conduciveness
  • Structural Strain
  • Growth and Spread of a Generalized Belief
  • Precipitating Factors
  • Mobilization of Participants for Action
  • The Operation of Social Control

Value-added Theory Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: val·ue add·ed the·o·ry

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /vAl-yoo-A-duhd thEE-uhr-ree/
  • British English – /vAl-yoo-a-did thIUH-ree/

International Phonetic Alphabet

  • American English – /ˈvælju-ˈædəd ˈθiəri/
  • British English – /ˈvæljuː-ˈædɪd ˈθɪəri/

Usage Notes

Additional Information

Related Terms


Works Consulted

Griffiths, Heather, Nathan Keirns, Eric Strayer, Susan Cody-Rydzewski, Gail Scaramuzzo, Tommy Sadler, Sally Vyain, Jeff Bry, Faye Jones. 2016. Introduction to Sociology 2e. Houston, TX: OpenStax.

Hughes, Michael, and Carolyn J. Kroehler. 2011. Sociology: The Core. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Shepard, Jon M. 2010. Sociology. 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Shepard, Jon M., and Robert W. Greene. 2003. Sociology and You. New York: Glencoe.

Stolley, Kathy S. 2005. The Basics of Sociology. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Taylor & Francis. (N.d.) Routledge Handbooks Online. (https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/).

Tischler, Henry L. 2011. Introduction to Sociology. 10th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Turner, Bryan S., ed. 2006. The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wikipedia contributors. (N.d.) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/).

Wiley. (N.d.) Wiley Online Library. (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/).

Cite the Definition of Value-added Theory

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “value-added theory.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved March 28, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/value-added-theory/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

value-added theory. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/value-added-theory/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “value-added theory.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed March 28, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/value-added-theory/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“value-added theory.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/value-added-theory/>.