Given the reference to 1979 and the wording of the passage, in which something mentioned in the book is referred to as "the present day notion", it seems safe to consider the book a recent book.

D is not really accurate as the passage is definitely not focused on refuting anything traditional.

C is not right, because while a second approach to analyzing social values is mentioned in passing, contrasting that second approach with the work of Viviana Zelizer is not the primary purpose of the passage.

So, B is the best answer. The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss Viviana Zelizer's thesis, which is discussed in her "excellent book."