Anomie is a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and values. This concept was introduced by the key sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858-1917).
Anomie occurs when there is a disintegration or disappearance of the norms and values that were previously common to society and helped to bind that society together.
How to recognise anomie
It can exist in a period of dramatic or sudden social change – wars, revolutions, economic crashes etc – when old ideas and norms have been lost or disrupted with nothing replacing them.
Without the old norms and values, what do people cling to? What do they believe in? This may lead to people feeling disconnected from society.
Examples of anomie
A classic example of how anomie can lead to criminal behaviour is found in Robert K. Merton’s Strain Theory. This theory builds on Émile Durkheim’s concept of anomie and explains how societal pressures can lead individuals to engage in deviant behaviour.
During economic recessions, when unemployment rates are high and financial stability is hard to achieve, some individuals may resort to criminal behaviour to support themselves and their families. In this scenario, anomie, by creating a sense of normlessness and disconnection from societal values, can push individuals towards criminal behaviour as a way to cope with the resulting strain.
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