The author discusses political theorists in some detail at the start of the fourth paragraph of the passage, where she writes: "Political theorists have been dismissive of these applications of classical theory to the civil rights movement . . ." (Lines 38-40.) Why? According to the author, this is because political theorists are convinced that "the classical theory trivializes the political ends of movement participants, focusing rather on presumed psychological dysfunctions." (Lines 41-43.)
That is exactly what answer choice (E) describes. According to the political theorists, social psychologists who apply the classical theory of social movements to the civil rights movement DO assume that the psychological motivations of movement participants better illuminate the causes of social movements than do participants' political motivations.
And, of course, the political theorists are critical of this assumption, as is the author of the passage (see Lines 51-52: "These very legitimate complaints having frequently been made . . .").
Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Samantha-AlexisMay 19, 2019
Can you do video explanations for some of these reading comprehension sections. I don't understand this passage at all and need help organizing the info in the passage to make inferences and answer the questions!
WilliamgJuly 19, 2022
It's clear enough why E is correct, but could you please elaborate on why D is incorrect?
D seems to communicate the same meaning as E, only in slightly different phrasing.
Thank you
Emil-KunkinJuly 24, 2022
Hi Williamg,
D is saying that the best way to understand the political goals are to analyze the psychology of those who support it.
E is saying that psychology is a better way to understand a movement that it's politics.
That is, D says that psych explains politics, and E says that Psych is better that politics to understand a movement
