TOPIC:

ANOMIE THEORY
 Seer Sopore,Bramullah

Submitted to:
Prof. Uzma

Submitted by:
Name : Farhat Majeed
Enrollment no. : 20042128025
Semester : 7thBallb
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. The Division of Labor in Society (1893)
2. The Legacy of Anomie Theory - 1st Edition - Freda Adler - William S. L.
3. WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM
4. WWW.RESEARCHGATE.NET
 INTRODUCTION
Anomie theory is a fundamental concept in criminology that was first
introduced by French sociologist Emile Durkheim in his seminal work, "The
Division of Labor in Society" (1893) and later expanded upon in his book
"Suicide" (1897). Anomie refers to a state of normlessness or breakdown of
social norms and values, leading individuals to feel disconnected, disoriented,
and lacking in moral guidance.
According to Durkheim, anomie arises when there is a disjunction between
societal goals (such as wealth, success, and status) and the means available to
achieve those goals. In other words, when the social structure fails to provide
clear guidelines for behavior and legitimate opportunities for achieving
success, individuals may experience feelings of frustration, alienation, and
confusion. This can lead to deviant behavior and criminality as individuals seek
alternative means to achieve their goals.
 Terms

1.Anomie. A state of normlessness or norm confusion within a society. The

term wascoined by Durkheim to explain suicide inFrench society, and later
applied by Mertonand others to other forms of deviance and crime in
American society.

2.Aspirations and Expectations. This refers to anomie strain theory.

Aspirations referto what one hopes to achieve in life, andexpectations refer to
what the individualbelieves is realistic. The greater the difference between
aspirations and expectations,the more likely strain becomes.

3.Cohen’s Anomie Strain. This version of anomie theory examines juveniles.

ThoughCohen is in agreement with Merton that blocked goals produce strain,
his theory looks atstatus as opposed to material gain. Under this perspective,
juveniles are measured against
the standard of the middle class. Lower-class kids who cannot meet the
middle-classstandards of dress, talk, and manners are, in a sense, deprived.
This “status deprivation”leads to “status frustration,” which in turn causes
deviant and criminal acts. Instead offive groups like Merton proposes, Cohen
sees only one group—a conflict group thatvalues toughness, fighting, and
respect.

4.Decommodification. The belief that a government can provide social welfare

programsto protect vulnerable members of society from market forces.

5.Differential Opportunity. A theory that draws from anomie and the work of
Merton andCohen; the social disorganization theory of Shaw and McKay; and
the differential
association theory of Sutherland. This view says that although one may be
deniedlegitimate opportunity, that does not mean that one has access to
illegitimate opportunity.Although deprivation andstrain can and do play a role,
one learns a good or bad responseto that strain depending on the available
opportunities and rolemodels, legitimate orillegitimate. Three groups exist
under thisperspective: The first is criminal. In criminalgroups, juveniles are
organized, and the primary goal of the activity is to make money. A
lack of legitimate means has been replaced by illegitimate ones, such as theft
or extortion.The second group is the conflict group. In this group, there are few
legitimate orillegitimate opportunities. These groups are found primarily in
poor, sociallydisorganized neighborhoods. As a result, toughness and fighting
are the primary goals.
The final group is the retreatist. This group cannot fight well, or profit from
their crimes.They are the double failure.

6.Focal Concerns of the Lower-Class Culture. The list of focal concerns or

valuesbelieved to be prevalent among lower-class males was developed by
Miller to describethe behavior of street corner groups or gangs. According to
Miller, the behavior of thesejuveniles was an adaptation to lower-class culture.
This culture valued things such as:trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement,
fatalism, and autonomy.

7.Agnew’s General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency. A micro-level

socialpsychological revision of strain theory. According to this theory, criminal
and deviantacts are one possible adaptation to stress. The three major types of
deviance-producingstrain are: failure to achieve positively valued goals,
 removal of positively valued stimuli,and confrontation with negative stimuli.
Deviance is most likely to occur when theresponse of the individual to any of
these stressors is anger. Factors such as peerassociations, beliefs, attributions
of causes, self-control, and self-efficacy will affect eachindividual’s reaction to
stress. Agnew also expands the concepts of strain to include notonly objective
and subjective strains, but also vicarious and anticipated strains.

8.Institutional Anomie. This theory was created by Messner and Rosenfeld.

The premiseof the theory is that American society is set up to give prestige and
priority to economicinstitutions. This means that the accumulation of wealth
and individual success arepeople’s highest priorities. Prioritizing economic
institutions weakens the ability of othersocial institutions (family, education,
government) to control crime that occurs inresponse to the lack of access to or
failure in the economic sphere. Therefore, a high levelof criminal activity is a
natural result of the setup of American society.

Merton’s Anomie Theory. This version of anomie theory looks at American

society,and what happens when an individual realizes that not everyone can
achieve theAmerican dream of equal opportunity for economic success. When
this happens, one offive adaptations will occur. The conformist accepts the
goals of society and the meansfor achieving them: the college student. The
innovator accepts the goals of society butrejects the means of achieving them:
the drug dealer. The mode of rebellion refers toone who rejects both the goals
and means of society, and wants to replace them withnew goals and means:
the militia member. The retreatistgives up on both the goals andmeans, and
withdraws from society: the alcoholic. Finally, the ritualist rejects the goalsand
accepts the means: this person has given up on the promotion, nice car, and so
on,and simply punches the time clock to keep what they have.
 Key concepts of anomie theory in criminology include:
1. Strain: Anomie theory suggests that individuals experience strain or
pressure when they are unable to achieve culturally defined goals (such as
material wealth or social status) through legitimate means. This strain can lead
to feelings of frustration and resentment, prompting individuals to engage in
criminal or deviant behavior as a way to cope with their circumstances.
2. Conformity and Deviance: Durkheim argued that society exerts pressure on
individuals to conform to its norms and values. However, when social norms
become unclear or weakened, individuals may engage in deviant behavior as a
response to the lack of moral guidance. Anomie theory posits that a state of
anomie can increase the likelihood of deviance and criminal behavior.

3. Social Integration: Durkheim highlighted the importance of social

integration in preventing anomie and promoting social cohesion. Strong social
bonds among individuals and social institutions can help maintain a sense of
collective purpose and shared values, reducing the likelihood of anomie and
deviant behavior.

4. Collective Consciousness: Anomie theory emphasizes the role of collective

consciousness in regulating individual behavior. When societal norms are
weakened or undermined, individuals may lack a shared understanding of right
and wrong, leading to a breakdown of moral order and an increase in crime.
In contemporary criminology, anomie theory continues to be influential in
understanding the social causes of crime and deviance. Researchers have
applied the principles of anomie theory to various forms of criminal behavior,
such as white-collar crime, juvenile delinquency, and organized crime, to
explore how societal factors contribute to the prevalence of crime.
Overall, anomie theory provides valuable insights into the relationship
between social structure, cultural values, and criminal behavior. By examining
the impact of societal norms and values on individual behavior, criminologists
can gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of crime and develop more
effective strategies for crime prevention and intervention.
  Anomie theory’S significance in the context of criminology

In the context of criminology, anomie is significant as it helps to explain why

certain individuals may turn to criminal activities. It suggests that when
individuals feel disconnected from mainstream society or lack clear guidelines
for behavior, they may be more likely to engage in criminal acts as a way to
achieve their goals or gain a sense of identity.
Understanding the concept of anomie can help criminologists and
policymakers develop strategies to prevent crime by addressing the social and
economic factors that contribute to feelings of normlessness and
disconnection in society. By promoting social cohesion and providing
individuals with a sense of belonging and purpose, it may be possible to reduce
the prevalence of criminal behavior in communities.

 Societal factors that may lead to feelings of anomie among individuals

engaging in criminal behavior.
societal factors that may lead to feelings of anomie among individuals
engaging in criminal behavior are as under:
1. Economic inequality: Disparities in wealth and opportunities within a society
can lead to feelings of frustration and alienation among individuals who feel
they are unable to achieve success through legitimate means. This can
contribute to a sense of anomie and increase the likelihood of engaging in
criminal behavior as a means of achieving success or status.
2. Social disorganization: Breakdown of social institutions such as family,
community, and schools can create a sense of instability and lack of social
cohesion. This can lead individuals to feel disconnected from society and its
norms, fostering a sense of anomie and making them more susceptible to
engaging in criminal behavior.
3. Cultural values and norms: Societal values that prioritize material success,
competition, and individualism over community and cooperation can create
pressure on individuals to achieve success at any cost. This can lead to feelings
 of strain and lead individuals to engage in criminal behavior in order to achieve
socially-defined goals.
4. Lack of opportunities: Limited access to education, employment, and other
resources can create barriers for individuals to achieve their goals through
legitimate means. This can lead to frustration and feelings of anomie, pushing
individuals towards engaging in criminal behavior as a means of survival or
achieving success.
5. Structural constraints: Discrimination, marginalization, and institutional
barriers can limit individuals' opportunities for social and economic
advancement. This can create a sense of hopelessness and alienation, leading
individuals to engage in criminal behavior as a way to cope with their
circumstances and exert some control over their lives.

 Applicability of anomie theory in understanding contemporary forms of

crime, such as cybercrime and terrorism.

In the case of cybercrime, offenders may be motivated by factors such as thrill-

seeking, anonymity, technological prowess, or ideology, rather than just the
desire for material gain. Traditional anomie theory's emphasis on the pressure
to achieve material success may not fully capture the diverse range of
motivations and opportunities involved in cybercrime. Additionally, the virtual
nature of cybercrime blurs traditional societal boundaries, which may
challenge the applicability of anomie theory in understanding and preventing
such offenses.
Similarly, when it comes to terrorism, the motivations behind these acts are
often driven by political, religious, or ideological beliefs rather than simply the
lack of legitimate opportunities for success. Anomie theory's focus on the
breakdown of societal norms and values may not adequately explain the
radicalization processes and complex group dynamics that lead individuals to
commit acts of terrorism.
While anomie theory may not directly apply to understanding these
contemporary forms of crime, it can still offer valuable insights into the
 broader societal conditions that may contribute to individuals' vulnerability to
extremist ideologies or involvement in cybercriminal activities. By considering
the social structures and cultural values that shape individuals' decisions to
engage in criminal behavior, researchers and policymakers can develop more
comprehensive strategies for addressing these modern forms of crime while
also considering additional theories and factors that may better explain these
behaviors.

 Strengths of anomie theory in explaining criminal behavior:

1. Provides a framework for understanding how societal factors such as social
norms, values, and economic conditions can lead to criminal behavior.
2. Helps to explain why crime rates vary across different social and economic
conditions.
3. Highlights the role of societal pressures and expectations in influencing
individual behavior.
4. Has been supported by empirical research, particularly in the field of
criminology.
5. Can be used to inform crime prevention and intervention strategies by
addressing underlying social conditions that contribute to criminal behavior.

 Limitations of anomie theory in explaining criminal behavior:

1. Focuses primarily on the role of external social factors and may not fully
account for individual differences in criminal behavior.
2. Does not take into account other factors such as psychological or biological
influences on criminal behavior.
3. Lacks a clear explanation of how individuals internalize societal norms and
values, leading to criminal behavior.
4. Does not address the complexities of human behavior and may oversimplify
the relationship between societal factors and crime.
 5. Has been criticized for being too deterministic in its view of criminal
behavior, ignoring individual agency and choice.

 Conclusion
In conclusion, anomie theory provides a valuable framework for understanding
the breakdown of social norms and values in society, leading to individuals
feeling disconnected and disoriented. The theory highlights how social
structures and institutions play a significant role in shaping individual behavior
and can contribute to feelings of alienation and detachment. By addressing the
root causes of anomie, such as economic inequality and social disorganization,
society can work towards creating a more cohesive and harmonious
environment for individuals to thrive. Furthermore, interventions that focus on
strengthening social bonds and promoting a sense of community can help
mitigate the negative effects of anomie on individuals and society as a whole.