Anomie (theory)
Anomie, a concept rooted in sociology, refers to a state of normlessness or breakdown in societal moral guidance, leading to feelings of isolation and alienation among individuals. The term, derived from the Greek word "anomos," meaning "lawlessness," was popularized by sociologist Émile Durkheim in the late 19th century. He posited that disruptions in society—such as industrialization or traumatic events—can leave individuals feeling disconnected and without a sense of purpose. This disconnection may contribute to various social issues, including crime and suicide.
The theory of anomie highlights how societal expectations and goals can create pressure; when individuals are unable to achieve these goals due to systemic barriers or personal circumstances, they may experience feelings of frustration and helplessness. American sociologist Robert K. Merton further developed this idea, linking anomie to deviant behavior by suggesting a disjunction between societal aspirations and the means available to reach them.
Contemporary discussions around anomie also address the impact of modern technology and social media, where constant exposure to curated representations of others' lives can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and isolation, potentially leading to mental health issues. Overall, the theory of anomie provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between individual identity, societal norms, and the potential consequences of disconnection in a rapidly changing world.
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Anomie (theory)
In sociology, the theory of anomie (also spelled anomy) proposes that breakdowns in society result when society does not provide moral guidance. Anomie also refers to the sense of isolation individuals feel when they are separated from society in ways that remove a sense of purpose or ideals. According to the theory, when individuals or societal groups are somehow removed from the social norms and standards to which they are accustomed, they experience feelings of alienation that cause anxiety and unrest. Anomie has been cited as a cause of both crime and suicide.
Background
The word anomie comes from the Greek anomos, which means "lawlessness." In the early twentieth century, anomie became associated with the idea of a lack of social norms.
Ancient Greek philosophers, including Plutarch and Plato, first described the concept of anomie. In more contemporary times, French sociologist Jean-Marie Guyau focused on the concept in the book Sketch of a Morality without Obligation or Sanction (1884). Like the ancient Greeks, Guyau explained anomie as a lack of established law, or lawlessness.
The word was adapted by French sociologist Émile Durkheim to refer to the absence of emotional or moral standards rather than legal standards. Durkheim, who is considered one of the founders of modern sociology, suggested the concept of anomie in 1893 in relation to the inability of some aspects of society to adapt to industrialization. In 1897, Durkheim wrote a book titled Suicide, in which he expanded on the concept of anomie. Durkheim described four types of suicide, including anomic suicide, which he described as a suicide that results after a disaster or other traumatic societal situations.
When life is disrupted by a trauma, disaster, or some other significant event, Durkheim said, people sometimes lose all sense of normalcy. They lose their sense of identity in relation to others, and they often have trouble figuring out how to get this sense of identity back. For some, this leads to the idea that the only way out of the situation is death, and they choose to kill themselves.
About forty years later, American sociologist Robert K. Merton proposed that anomie was a cause of deviant and criminal behavior. In 1938, Merton responded to a theory of the time that deviant behavior had its roots in biology. He believed that biology could not account for all the differences in rates of deviant behavior among societal groups and in different segments of some groups. Instead, he proposed a variation of Durkheim's anomie theory.
According to Merton, deviant behavior arose when a disconnection existed between a stated goal and the values society actually strived to achieve. For example, a society might claim to be in favor of equality in all things but demonstrate a preference toward rewarding those who are more successful and achieve more than others. Merton believed that this could create situations in which people who are less successful feel a sense of disunity with society. His view of anomie is sometimes known as the "strain theory" or the "means-end theory."
Overview
Anomie may refer to several ways in which individuals or segments of society feel disconnected from the rest of society. The disconnection often occurs because something that is seen as having value, such as a goal or a status, cannot be obtained. The inability to attain it may result from uncontrollable circumstances, such as a disaster, or from limitations that the rest of society places on the individual or group.
According to the theory of anomie, society sets a goal or status and holds it up as a standard that everyone in society should try to achieve. Examples of societal goals or statuses include financial, academic, and athletic success. The idea of being safe in one's home or neighborhood is an example of something that is universally valued.
When someone strives to achieve the universal goals or values that society creates, and that same society thwarts their efforts, anomie may result. For instance, society values academic success. If someone is working to achieve academic success but attends a school that does not receive enough financial support to provide books, computers, and other resources, that person may develop anomie. A person whose home is destroyed in a tornado also may experience anomie, especially if nearby homes survive and neighbors are able to return to normal life.
A lack of connectedness with society can play a role in anomie, sociologists say. When people are separated from society, the resulting disconnection can cause a state of anomie. This is sometimes the case for victims of natural disasters who lose their homes or those who are displaced by war or persecution. These people suffer financial loss and also may experience physical injury or loss. When they lose the support system of the society in which they formerly lived, they can become disconnected from society at large.
Any situation that causes a loss of a sense of normalcy can result in anomie. This is especially true when the loss is imposed on the individual or group. The lack of normalcy and the frustration that results from the inability to regain it can cause stress and lead to a range of negative consequences, from social unrest or deviant criminal behavior to suicide.
In contemporary times, researchers have expressed concern about the effects of social media in creating anomie. Seeing glimpses of others' lives that seem to show them always having fun times or achieving goals can distort perceptions of what real life is like. Exposure to pictures of people enjoying family time can create frustration in those who, for some reason, do not have the same family connections. This can create a sense of anomie that leads to stress, depression, and anxiety.
Bibliography
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