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
Syllabification: val·ue add·ed the·o·ry
Audio Pronunciation
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
- Plural: value-added theories
- Smelser developed value-added theory in the Theory of Collective Behavior (1962).
- Read for free at the Internet Archive: The Theory of Collective Behavior by Neil Smelser.
- A functionalist theory.
- Also called: social strain theory
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, 2023 (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, 2023. 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. 2023. <https://sociologydictionary.org/value-added-theory/>.