In sociology, anomie is understood as the absence of norms in society. A synonym for this word is the word alienation. If deviant behavior characterizes an individual or a group of people, then anomie is a state in which the entire society finds itself in a kind of “normative vacuum.”
This phenomenon was first described by E. Durkheim in his famous work “Suicide”. Durkheim identified anomic suicide as a special type of this form of deviant behavior. Human desires in general know no limits, despite the fact that the possibilities of satisfying them are limited. Based on this, Durkheim concluded that people can be happy only if their needs coincide with their capabilities. It is for this purpose that society introduces normative restrictions, essentially telling a person what he can want and what he cannot. If such restrictions are destroyed, the person either begins to use all means available to him to achieve his goals, or falls into a state of alienation, which can lead to suicide.
A representative of sociologically oriented psychoanalysis, E. Fromm described the state of anomie as a loss of a sense of belonging to society and one’s social group, when an individual is deprived of his own identity and personal values, experiencing a feeling of alienation and loneliness. A person in this state becomes alienated from society, losing the need to establish contacts and achieve social success.
T Parsons described anomie as a state of society in which people are in a state of disintegration, and their behavior does not correspond to the requirements of social institutions. Parsons considered the main negative result of anomie to be a decrease in the integration of society, as well as an increase in feelings of insecurity and mental disorders.
R. Merton used the concept of anomie much more broadly, as a justification for any deviant behavior. He proceeded from the fact that in every society goals are in a certain relationship to the means of achieving them. First, goals can be both approved and disapproved by societies. Secondly, each goal has normative (that is, fixed by relevant social institutions, social norms and public opinion) means of achievement, as well as means of achievement that are prohibited.
At the same time, Merton noted that different societies place a stronger emphasis on either ends or means. If a society's goals are most important, it can be considered anomic. Indeed, in a society in which wealth is considered a value and there are no special restrictions on the choice of means to achieve it, people will choose the most effective means that lead to this state, regardless of whether they are acceptable from the point of view of social norms and morality or No. And vice versa, if a culture pays sufficient attention to the means of achieving the goal, then its bearers will also be more selective in the choice of means, and therefore, anomie will be inherent in society as a whole to a lesser extent.
Another reason for anomie, according to Merton, may be the limited availability of means of achieving a socially prestigious goal, associated with stratification within society. For example, in the United States, wealth is a generally accepted and even imposed manifestation of success in life. However, the means to achieve wealth are not available to all members of society. Not all people can get a good education, become qualified specialists and get a good, well-paid job. Therefore, they have to resort to means that are not approved by society, that is, deviant behavior.
Today there is no single definition of the concept of “anomie”. This is explained by the multi-level nature of the social phenomenon of anomie:
- - micro-, macro- and average (meso level);
- - cognitive, affective (“subjective” aspect) and conative (“objective” aspect) levels.
Their intersection alone gives eight meanings, and the heterogeneity of social processes doubles this number.
The main attention should be paid not so much to attempts to modify the concept of anomie, but to fundamental changes in its content. These changes do not always flow from theoretical dialogue. For example, we cannot claim that E. Fromm is familiar with Merton’s version of the concept of anomie and seeks to clarify its content, but in a number of cases his views on such a concept similar to conformism, such as bureaucracy, make us think that Merton’s recognition of conformity as a form of deviation , i.e. the source of the anomic circumstance is not entirely convincing. This is confirmed by Fromm’s opinion about the so-called. "herd conformism" Fromm believes that as long as a person does not deviate from the norm, he is the same as others, is recognized by others as one /257/ of them and feels like “I”. The feeling of a person’s own “self-identity” in this situation is equated to a feeling of conformity.
Of great value is the analysis according to which individual anomie is caused by social anomie, although it does not exclude the role of imperfect moral or legal norms and laws in the emergence of anomie. On the contrary, this was noted by Jean Marie Guyot, Herbert Spencer and others. For example, Spencer is so critical of legislators and the state that, in essence, he excludes their role in the progress of social organization and society as a whole. Spencer's views are of great importance not only for the theoretical solution to the problem of anomie, but also for the practical solution to the problem of deepening the anomic processes of our time. And, indeed, it is quite painful, from the point of view of the moral or legal strength of society, for the legislators and moralists themselves to ignore norms and laws, even at the parliamentary level. This creates and spreads mass disrespect for norms and laws, condones deviations from them, giving rise to a transition from the facts of individual anomie to a system of social anomie, or, on the scale of the entire society, to the unity of multiple expressions of social anomie.
Anomie, as a phenomenon reflecting social vices, is of serious concern to non-sociological thinkers. For example, K. Wolf notes: “Durkheim’s ideas about anomie ... are only a minor but ominous prelude.” According to R. Gilbert, “anomie is a tendency to social death; in its aggravated forms it means the death of society.”
Fromm, in his views on a “sick society,” points to the global danger of anomie. The idea of Fromm's main humanistic work is that the main indicator of the disease of society is indifference to the human person. In this regard, one can also evaluate the anomic results presented by Fromm in the concepts of “narcissism”, “necrophilia”, “sadism”, “masochism”, etc. It is clear that the foundations of these psychopathological /258/ deviations are not in the people themselves, but in public structures. (Here it should be noted that the grounds for deviations should not be sought in violations of mental, moral or legal norms, their shortcomings or imperfections. For example, the basis for theft as an anomic phenomenon is not the weakness of the law acting against it, but those social conditions that give rise to theft) .
It can be noted that fans of the teachings of R. Merton, comparing the views of these two thinkers, give a clear advantage to Merton (for example, N. Pokrovsky), but Fromm, with no less force than G. Spencer and the same Merton, denounces the anti-human depravity of a sick society.
Finally, the contribution made by Fromm to the expansion of the concept of anomie can be considered the development of its psychopathological aspect, thanks to which he continued the Durkheim tradition of searching for the psychological aspect of the concept of anomie, which, in essence, was rejected by R. Merton.
If this view is acceptable, then we can conclude that E. Fromm paid attention to the natural aspect of anomie, while Merton and his associates focused more on the fact of the existence of anomic deviations caused by subjective activity, i.e. on deviations from moral and legal norms. Moral and legal norms, as is known, are not only the product of the realization of the objective needs of society, but also the result of the creativity of subjects - legislators and moralists.
The management of social processes is determined by many factors, among which anomie occupies a special place. The latent influence of social anomie on controllability in society has led to the fact that this problem often remains in the shadows. Meanwhile, social anomie reduces the efficiency of management and the effectiveness of social institutions and organizations. This was especially evident in the context of the political and socio-economic crisis in which society found itself in the 90s. Economic reforms in some regions caused an increase in unemployment and a sharp decline in living standards, leading to socio-political instability and high social tension. The destruction of the usual way of life, the deterioration of social infrastructure, and the weakening of the role of social institutions have negatively affected all aspects of the life of the population. Political and socio-economic reforms were accompanied by a change in value orientations and radical changes in legislation. The coexistence of the past normative value system and the emerging new moral and legal system of norms was accompanied by conflicts, moral conflicts, and disorganization in society. Here one can find all the signs of deep social anomie.
A necessary condition for the emergence of anomie is the contradiction between two series of socially generated phenomena (the first is needs and interests, the second is the possibility of satisfying them). A prerequisite for a holistic personality, according to Durkheim, is a stable and cohesive society. Under traditional social orders, human abilities and needs were provided for relatively simply, since the corresponding collective consciousness kept them at a low level, preventing the development of individualism, the liberation of the individual and establishing strict principles (boundaries) for what an individual in a given social position could legitimately achieve. The hierarchical traditional society (feudal) was stable because it set different goals for different social layers and allowed everyone to feel their life meaningful within a narrow, closed layer. The course of the social process increases “individualization” and at the same time undermines the power of collective supervision, the firm moral boundaries characteristic of the old times. In the new conditions, the degree of individual freedom from traditions, collective mores and prejudices, and the possibility of personal choice of knowledge and methods of action are sharply expanding. But the relatively free structure of industrial society no longer determines the life activity of people and, as if with natural necessity and constantly reproduces anomie in the sense of the absence of solid life goals, norms and patterns of behavior. This puts many in an uncertain position, depriving them of collective solidarity, a sense of connection with a specific group and with the whole society, which leads to the growth of deviant and self-destructive behavior in it.
The term “anomie” has become widespread in scientific circles, in particular in psychology, sociology and related disciplines, as well as in medicine. Literally, it can be described as total lawlessness, people’s ignorance of certain norms and orders, which leads to destructive moods in society and negative ideas in the human mind.
Anomia in a narrow medical framework is understood as a pathological “loss” of names of objects and names from memory (an - negative particle, onyma - name). But what detailed characteristics and distinctive features does the concept of anomie have from the point of view of various sciences?
The concept of anomie became widespread in ancient times, but was firmly entrenched in the scientific field at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. This term has been used throughout time by philosophers and sociologists, historians and theologians, economists and psychologists, and physicians. Based on this, it is clear that the term anomie is really widespread, especially within the social framework. However, psychologists show particular interest in it. What is anomie from a psychological point of view?
Rationale for the term
In the psychological direction, anomie is closely associated with the name of the American social psychologist Leo Sroul, who was the first to insist on introducing the term into this scientific field. The idea of the concept within the framework of psychology is based on the social concept of anomie, but is considered from the position of a person’s personal consciousness, and not in the format of public sentiments and group manifestations.
What is anomie in the psychological understanding of the term? It is based on a negative idea that arises in the human mind about the lack of social cohesion with other people. The desire for contact with society seems to be either minimal, critically weakened, or completely absent in the individual.
But man is a social “creature” that needs interpersonal connections. When this is absent and there is no internal desire for it, doom, hopelessness, melancholy, apathy, alienation come to the fore, and a difficult state of insurmountable loneliness arises. Prerequisites for, in particular, alcoholism, criminal activity, and suicide appear in the background. The idea of self-destruction in the context of psychological anomie dominates and can lead to negative consequences for a person.
Based on the research conducted by Latvian psychologists, anomie can be further characterized within the framework of individual experiences of ongoing changes in society. Each person, being in a situation of not always favorable changes in the state, experiences a “critical situation” in his own way. However, according to scientists from Latvia, three main points of psychological reactions can be distinguished:
- lack of norms, when the idea of the impossibility of trusting society is fixed in the individual’s mind and the tendency to violate order increases, since new rules do not provide the opportunity for adaptation;
- meaninglessness, previously formed goals and ideas cease to be relevant, they are not replaced by new ones due to lack of adaptation to changed conditions; this gives rise to a state of apathy, boredom, a feeling of meaninglessness and uselessness not only in actions, but also in life in general;
- social isolation, recluse, increasing loneliness, awareness of isolation from people and the inability to establish interpersonal connections, a feeling of emptiness or uselessness.
From a psychological point of view, it follows that anomie can affect any person, regardless of his gender, age and profession. This condition can be especially difficult for people who are “inflexible”, who do not know how and do not strive to learn to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
This moment leads not only to the above-mentioned manifestations and negative ideas, but can also have a strong stressful effect, affect the level of anxiety, and provoke the development of neurotic conditions and depression.
Explanation of the concept within the framework of psychiatry and neuropsychology
The term anomie in medical disciplines is viewed from a slightly different point of view than in psychology. Anomia as a definition has become especially widespread in the format of neuropsychology, neurophysiology and psychiatry, including forensic psychiatry.
What does the concept of anomie mean in such a context? Anomia is a pathological condition in which the patient, for various reasons, is unable to remember and give specific names, names of individual objects and phenomena. At the same time, the person’s speech remains intact and quite adequate. He can form words correctly into sentences and can think clearly to a certain extent. Both psychiatry and neuropsychology consider anomia in the context of nominal aphasia, and can also appear in the format of individual amnestic syndromes. In other words, in medical circles the phenomenon of anomie is understood as a state of pathological forgetfulness. But how does the perception of the term differ depending on the specific discipline?
Phenomenon within psychiatry
Anomia in a psychiatric context is considered when it comes to dementia (senile dementia), epilepsy, psychosis, including against the background of alcoholic binge. Anomia is understood not only as pathological forgetfulness, but also in the form of speech impairment. In this case, the phenomenon acts as an additional symptom, along with which other manifestations may appear, and the patient’s general condition itself gradually worsens.
Additionally, the symptoms demonstrated by anomia include:
If such a term is considered narrowly within the framework of forensic psychiatry, then it is usually used along with such concepts as alienation, identity and identification.
Benjamin Rush believed the phenomenon should be understood as “a birth defect where there are no moral values in the mind of the individual.” On the other hand, the concept denotes the lack of coordination of internal feelings and experiences, which are perceived by the patient as alien, groundless or abnormal.
Concept of the term in neuropsychology and neurophysiology
The main essence of the condition in which anomia is noted, in the situation of neuropsychology or neurophysiology, does not differ from the idea inherent in psychiatry. In this version, the occurrence of the phenomenon due to lesions of individual parts of the brain (parieto-occipital, parieto-temporal parts of the cortex) is considered. They can occur due to hypoxia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, intoxication, and so on. But mental disorders are also a reason for the development of the condition.
To accurately establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct certain studies, in particular MRI, pathopsychological and neuropsychological studies. Correction is carried out by taking nootropic drugs, treating the underlying disease, and also requires psychological work.
Analysis of concepts in sociology and related disciplines
When considering anomie in the format of a sociological concept, emphasis must be placed on two main interpretation options.
Emile Durkheim's idea
The first description of anomie as a sociological term was presented by Emile Durkheim in 1897 in his scientific work Suicide. He positioned anomie as a phenomenon that leaves its mark on society as a whole and on each individual individually. Within this concept, the sociologist considered such moments as apathy, suicidal behavior, destructive moods based on various forms of aggression.
Due to what, according to Durkheim, does the development of anomie (“lawlessness”) occur within society? Within the framework of the theory of anomie lies the collision of organic (natural) and mechanical (industrialized) solidarity, as if simultaneously existing within society.
In the process of forming a new society, a conflict arises between the usual orders and new rules. Based on the collision, a split arises within one, previously entire society. Certain groups of people develop a negative (depressive) view of life, and preconditions arise for breaking the law. Based on similar reasoning, Durkheim derived a rationale for a large number of suicides (anomic suicide due to a person’s conviction that society is collapsing).
The second social theory and the idea of the phenomenon in related sciences
The term anomie is also closely related to another name in scientific circles. Robert Merton was actively involved in the development of the theory of anomie, taking as a basis the impossibility of achieving the desired goal through legal means due to existing social restrictions or crisis (reforms, war, and so on). The scientist identified the following options for adaptability to current circumstances:
- innovation (antisocial behavior);
- rebellion (attempts to transform the existing system);
- retreatism (choice of actions depending on the context);
- ritualism (actions approved by law, which a priori will not lead to the desired result).
The idea of anomie in society was also considered by: Lloyd Oulin, Jacob Gvost, Lembreid, Guyot and other scientists. At the same time, the term within the framework of sciences related to sociology can appear as the concept of “social chaos”; In theology, anomie means godlessness. In political science and history, the concept is often noted in situations of collapse of states and military operations.
Although such a term is widely used in various disciplines, it is necessary to clearly understand its meaning depending on the overall context.
Introduction
1. The essence and signs of social anomie
2. Basic theories of social anomie
2.1 Theory of anomie according to E. Durkheim
2.2 The theory of anomie according to R. Merton
3. Features of anomie in modern Russian society
Conclusion
Bibliography
Introduction
The topic of the test is “Social anomie: essence and signs.”
The concept of anomie expresses a historically determined process of destruction of the basic elements of culture, primarily in terms of ethical standards. With a sufficiently sharp change in social ideals and morality, certain social groups cease to feel their involvement in a given society, their alienation occurs, new social norms and values (including socially declared patterns of behavior) are rejected by members of these groups, and instead of conventional means of achieving individual or social their own goals are put forward (in particular, illegal ones). The phenomena of anomie, affecting all segments of the population during social upheavals, have a particularly strong effect on young people.
According to the definition of Russian researchers, anomie is “the absence of a clear system of social norms, the destruction of the unity of culture, as a result of which people’s life experience ceases to correspond to ideal social norms.”
The purpose of the test is to determine the essence and characteristics of the concept of social anomie.
1. The essence and signs of social anomie
The management of social processes is determined by many factors, among which anomie occupies a special place. The latent influence of social anomie on controllability in society has led to the fact that this problem often remains in the shadows. Meanwhile, social anomie reduces the efficiency of management and the effectiveness of social institutions and organizations. This was especially evident in the context of the political and socio-economic crisis in which Russian society found itself in the 90s. Economic reforms in some regions caused an increase in unemployment and a sharp decline in living standards, leading to socio-political instability and high social tension. The destruction of the usual way of life, the deterioration of social infrastructure, and the weakening of the role of social institutions have negatively affected all aspects of the life of the population. Political and socio-economic reforms were accompanied by a change in value orientations and radical changes in legislation. The coexistence of the past normative value system and the emerging new moral and legal system of norms was accompanied by conflicts, moral conflicts, and disorganization in society. Here one can find all the signs of deep social anomie.
The concept of “anomie” arose more than twenty centuries ago. The ancient Greek concept "anomos" means "lawless", "unruly". It is found even in Euripides and Plato. In modern times, we find the concept of anomie in the works of the 19th century English historian William Mabeird, the 19th century French philosopher and sociologist J.M. Guyot. This term was introduced into sociology by the outstanding French sociologist Emile Durkheim, and later significantly developed by the American sociologist Robert Merton.
Anomie (from the French anomie - literally “lawlessness, lack of norms”; from the Greek a - negative particle and nomos - law) is a state of society in which a significant part of its members, knowing about the existence of binding norms, treats them negatively or indifferently .
The phenomenon of social anomie was first described by the French sociologist Emile Durkheim. Anomie is the absence of law, organization, norms of behavior, their insufficiency. E. Durkheim noted that anomic conditions in society arise especially often in conditions of economic crises and dynamic reforms. “At the moment of social disorganization,” he believes, “whether it will occur due to a painful crisis or, conversely, during a period of favorable, but too sudden social transformations, society turns out to be temporarily unable to exert the necessary influence on a person...” 1
The concept of anomie characterizes a state of society in which disintegration and collapse of the system of norms that guarantee social order occur (E. Durkheim). Social anomie indicates that norms of behavior are seriously violated and weakened. Anomie causes a psychological state of the individual that is characterized by a feeling of loss of orientation in life, which occurs when a person is faced with the need to fulfill conflicting norms. “The old hierarchy is broken, and the new one cannot immediately be established... Until social forces, left to themselves, reach a state of equilibrium, their relative value cannot be taken into account and, therefore, for some time all regulation turns out to be untenable.”
Later, anomie is also understood as a condition in society caused by an excess of norms, and contradictory ones at that (R. Merton). Under these conditions, the individual is lost, not knowing which norms to follow. The unity of the normative system, the system of regulation of social relations is being destroyed. People are socially disoriented, experiencing a feeling of anxiety and isolation from society. This naturally leads to deviant behavior, marginality, crime and other asocial phenomena.
E. Durkheim considers anomie as part of his historical-evolutionary concept, based on the opposition of “traditional” and modern industrial society. The problem of anomie is generated by the transitional nature of the era, the temporary decline in the moral regulation of new capitalist economic relations. Anomie is a product of an incomplete transition from mechanical to organic solidarity, since the objective basis of the latter - the social division of labor - progresses faster than it finds moral support in the collective consciousness.
A necessary condition for the emergence of anomie is the contradiction between two series of socially generated phenomena (the first is needs and interests, the second is the possibility of satisfying them). A prerequisite for a holistic personality, according to Durkheim, is a stable and cohesive society. Under traditional social orders, human abilities and needs were provided for relatively simply, since the corresponding collective consciousness kept them at a low level, preventing the development of individualism, the liberation of the individual and establishing strict principles (boundaries) for what an individual in a given social position could legitimately achieve. The hierarchical traditional society (feudal) was stable because it set different goals for different social layers and allowed everyone to feel their life meaningful within a narrow, closed layer. The course of the social process increases “individualization” and at the same time undermines the power of collective supervision, the firm moral boundaries characteristic of the old times. In the new conditions, the degree of individual freedom from traditions, collective mores and prejudices, and the possibility of personal choice of knowledge and methods of action are sharply expanding. But the relatively free structure of industrial society no longer determines the life activity of people and, as if with natural necessity and constantly reproduces anomie in the sense of the absence of solid life goals, norms and patterns of behavior. This puts many in an uncertain position, depriving them of collective solidarity, a sense of connection with a specific group and with the whole society, which leads to the growth of deviant and self-destructive behavior in it.
social anomie law norm desire
2. Basic theories of social anomie
2.1 Theory of anomie according to E. Durkheim
According to Durkheim, crime is insignificant in a society where human solidarity and social cohesion are sufficient. As a result of social changes, which can go either towards economic collapse or towards prosperity, favorable conditions are created for the division of labor and a greater variety of life, and integrating forces are weakened. Society is falling apart and splitting. Its individual fragments are isolated. When the unity of society is destroyed and the isolation of its elements increases, socially deviant behavior and crime increase. Society finds itself in a state of anomie. Durkheim argues this point as follows. French society in the last 100 years has deliberately eradicated the factors of self-government by human instincts and passions. Religion has almost completely lost its influence on people. Traditional professional associations such as craft guilds (guilds and corporations) were liquidated. The government firmly pursued a policy of freedom of enterprise and non-interference in the economy. And the result of this policy was that dreams and aspirations were no longer restrained. This freedom of aspiration became the driving force behind the French Industrial Revolution; but it has also created a chronic state of anomie with an accompanying high rate of suicide.
In society, the number of people with deviant behavior is increasing, no one will argue. Many researchers have debated the motives for this behavior. breaking the law? What is the main motive for deviant behavior in society? One of the explanatory approaches is the concept of anomie. Translated from Greek, anomie is a state of lack of rights in society, lawlessness. This concept was first introduced by a sociologist, emphasizing that the deviant behavior of some members of society is a completely normal phenomenon.
Emile Durkheim's approach
As already mentioned, the concept of anomie belongs to Durkheim, who believed that the absence of violation of laws and rules in society reflects its diseased state. Society must develop, and any developments are always accompanied by violations of established norms. However, the mere presence of deviant elements in society is not anomie. Anomie is a condition in society when crime and disregard for norms of behavior reach their highest point. Such a society is characterized by excessive disunity of its elements. Individual components of society are increasingly isolated, the social order simply ceases to exist and splits. This picture can be observed in moments of transition when old values become outdated and discarded, and new ones have not yet had time to take hold. Durkheim's theory of anomie was clearly reflected in the life of French society at the end of the 19th century, when the loss of the authority of the church and the government's policy of non-intervention in the economy resulted in a wave of suicides and, as a consequence, a deep state of anomie.
Suicide as an indicator of anomie
Why did Durkheim pay particular attention to the increasing number of suicides in fracturing societies? This is because anomie is, first of all, a loss of support for society. When moving from one ideal to another, when changing authorities and power, a person simply becomes disoriented. People are pretty rigid creatures. Once accustomed to a certain way of life, it is very difficult for a person to later change his views and beliefs. And with age, this becomes more and more difficult to do. And suddenly a revolution occurs, a radical change in the life of society! Old ideals have been trampled, what to rely on? What's right, what's wrong? People become confused because the support is pulled out from under them. People commit suicide in despair. When this happens everywhere, anomie is established. This is one of the most striking indicators of a crisis in society.
Characteristics of an anomic society
There are three main characteristics that a society in a state of anomie has:
1) Social norms and values begin to contradict each other and become vague.
2) The behavior of members of society cannot be more effectively regulated by existing norms and rules.
3) A crisis state of society, when the old one is destroyed, and the new one has not yet appeared or has not established itself in society. In such a situation, normative regulation of behavior is partially or completely absent.
So, as already mentioned, anomie is characterized by an increased number of suicides, a general state of disappointment and apathy, and a sharp increase in the number of crimes.