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About DrDiva
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I can answer questions that relate to the theories and practicing of Psychology & Counseling. I can also answer questions related to acquiring licensure at the Masters' and Doctorate levels.

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Worked as Behavior Specialist primary population children between ages 6-18. (7yrs) Worked as therapist in partial hospitalization program drug and alcohol recovery setting. (4yrs)

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APA NAMP Psi Chi OES Sigma Gamma Rho

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BA-Temple University Psychology & Education MHS-Lincoln University ABD, Ph.D -Walden University Clinical Psychology Certified Psychologist Board Certified Professional Counselor Licensed Professional Counselor State of PA Certified WRAP facilitator

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I work within an outpatient setting seeing those who are dual diagnosed. I supervise students in placement at undergraduate and graduate levels.

You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Social Science > Psychology > Theory-Durkheim

Psychology - Theory-Durkheim

Expert: DrDiva - 11/5/2009

Question
I need to know what is the theory of anomie by Durkheim all about?

Answer
This is what I was able to locate online there is a link at the end good luck!

Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, introduced the concept of anomie in his book The Division of Labor in Society, published in 1893. He used anomie to describe a condition of deregulation that was occuring in society. This meant that rules on how people ought to behave with each other were breaking down and thus people did not know what to expect from one another. Anomie, simply defined, is a state where norms (expectations on behaviors) are confused, unclear or not present. It is normlessness, Durkheim felt, that led to deviant behavior. In 1897, Durkheim used the term again in his study on Suicide, referring to a morally deregulated condition. Durkheim was preoccupied with the effects of social change. He best illustrated his concept of anomie not in a discussion of crime but of suicide.

In The Division of Labor in Society, Durkheim proposed two concepts. First, that societies evolved from a simple, nonspecialized form, called mechanical, toward a highly complex, specialized form, called organic. In the former society people behave and think alike and more or less perfom the same work tasks and have the same group-oriented goals. When societies become more complex, or organic, work also becomes more complex. In this society, people are no longer tied to one another and social bonds are impersonal.

Anomie thus refers to a breakdown of social norms and it a condition where norms no longer control the activities of members in society. Individuals cannot find their place in society without clear rules to help guide them. Changing conditions as well as adjustment of life leads to dissatisfaction, conflict, and deviance. He observed that social periods of disruption (economic depression, for instance) brought about greater anomie and higher rates of crime, suicide, and deviance.

Durkheim felt that sudden change caused a state of anomie. The system breaks down, either during a great prosperity or a great depression, anomie is the same result.

http://www.hewett.norfolk.sch.uk/curric/soc/anomie.htm

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