Question

identify and describe (6)six preconditions necessary for collective behaviour to occur according to Neil Smelser's value added theory?

Answer 1

Identification and explanation of six preconditions which are necessary for collective behaviour (according to Neil Smelser Value-Added Theory) are following;

Structural Condusiveness: It is the first stage where people should come together or collectively to raise the movement against the concerned issue. For instance, people in Hong Kong are coming together as they all are against the ruling of mainland China. This movement shows how collectively people are against or for a cause.

Structural Strain: It is the second stage where group/ collective group feels that their movement is missing its target and their viewpoints are ignored by the higher authority. This strain situation, result into doing some other act in order to threat higher authority by means of destruction of public property etc.

Generalized Belief: It is the third stage where a general belief which should be clear to all individuals. At this stage all people should trust all those factors which are contributing to create strain and under such circumstances it is better to get together and develop a movement to their needs and demands.

Precipitating Factor: It is the fourth stage where those factors are added which influence the whole movement. Just like in chemistry lab precipitating compound are used to ignite the experiment. Similarly, added values flames the protest and give an important push to the whole movement.

Mobilization of Action: It is the fifth stage where the whole movement gets up to next level i.e, to mobilize the movement spreading of protest, networking is important, by distributing leaflets, making social networking medium. Such platform, makes whole movement a huge protest where people not only protest at a place but people from different places make protest and show their support. This leads to create a pressure at mass level and result into taking action which is good for all.

Mechanism of Social Control: It is the sixth and last stage where role of armed forces and police play key role. As if the protest cannot be stopped it will go against government and government need to take action for the people. But to maintain social control they implement force in field so as to control the movement.