Durkheim's term for normlessness is called what?

• A. anomie
• B. alienation
• C. anarchy
• D. nihilism

Answer: (A)

Anomie is a state of normlessness in which the usual social rules and standards lose their power to guide behavior. Durkheim introduced this idea to explain what happens when rapid social change or a breakdown in regulation leaves people unsure about what is expected of them. When norms become unclear or weak, individuals can feel disconnected and may drift toward deviant behavior or even higher rates of distress, such as suicide, because there’s little guidance on how to act in new situations.

Understanding this helps distinguish it from other concepts: alienation is about feeling estranged from the products and processes of work or society; anarchy refers to political disorder with no functioning government; nihilism is the belief that life lacks meaning or value. The situation Durkheim focuses on—norms losing their grip and leaving people without clear expectations—best matches anomie.