Anomie

This state occurs when the individual sees no regularity or certainty in his interactions with the social world. There seem to be no rules about what is and what is not permitted, no norms for dealing with life. The effects of his actions and the reaction of others seem totally unpredictable; traditional rules have lost their meaning; and a sense of meaningless and isolation may result. Although free to choose his actions, all alternatives appear meaningless and there is no sense of direction or support from others. Such an individual is anxious. He seeks situations of security, stability and certainty, and avoids situations involving risk or challenge. The state may arise as unwillingness or inability to adjust to change in circumstances and the term may be used to describe behaviour conflicting with the norm. Social conditions exacerbating the problem may be negative (collapsing economy, destruction of one culture by another), or apparently positive, when increasing prosperity means that old values (thrift, hard work) lose their relevance.