Anomie

Overview

Anomie is a theory created by Émile Durkheim in his book suicide (1897).

Anomie is the idea that someone has different social norms when they are excluded from society - alienated or feeling worthless

He links this to depression and suicide but it can also be linked to criminal behaviour

Definition

in societies or individuals, a condition of instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values or from a lack of purpose or ideals.

Anomie and Crime

It is similar to Marx’s theory of alienation that, the working class commit more crime because they are alienated from the rest of society

Durkheim believed that a lack of norms meant that values weren’t as likely to be upheld and therefore more crime was committed

Behaviour which is seen as normal to most people in a society didn’t apply to people who where excluded from the society which meant that crime was committed as the values didn’t apply to them

Mechanical and Organic

Mechanical - societies used to be more focussed on the whole group and how it worked meaning less people were separate from the society

Organic - now people are more individual, so in todays world more people have their own values and don’t just accept the values of a society on its own.

Durkheim’s TheoryDurkheim believed that because society

was becoming more organic it is harder for people to find their place in society and the rules for their lives aren’t as clear

Durkheim also believed that in a time of recession there is more anomie and also when you have a large wealth gap because it means you are more likely to be excluded from the norm