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Anomie is a society or culture that lacks unifying norms and identity. This results in a breakdown in social bonds between individuals and the communities in which they live.
Anomie can occur in a society that lacks norms such as expectations, symbols, shared meaning and standards of behavior. It can also occur in a society in which norms are too rigid such that people don't identify with them. A third scenario is an environment of rapidly changing norms whereby people accept this change or react to this change in a wide variety of ways that produces divisions in society.
ResultMan cannot become attached to higher aims and submit to a rule if he sees nothing above him to which he belongs. To free him from all social pressure is to abandon him to himself and demoralize him.― Emile Durkheim, Suicide: A Study in Sociology Anomie is typically described as a dark state that produces apathy, detachment and a lack of moral compass. It makes it more difficult to relate to others socially.
Individualism vs CollectivismOn a scale of individualism to collectivism, anomie is pure individualism whereby people pursue their wants without any regard to others or ability to enjoy shared experiences or pursue shared meaning.Subcultures & Super CulturesIndividuals who experience a sense of anomie may seek community in subcultures and super cultures. Super cultures are large cultures that exist at the global level such as the culture of a major sport. Subcultures are smaller self-organizing groups that develop shared meaning and experiences around causes, activities, hobbies and interests. For example, volunteer work may provide a sense of purpose and shared meaning that defeats anomie.|
| Type | | | Definition | A society or culture that lacks unifying norms and identity. | | Also Known As | Normlessness | | Attributed to | Emile Durkheim | | Related Concepts | |
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ReferencesDurkheim, Emile. Suicide: A study in sociology. Routledge, 2005.
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