What term describes a condition of normlessness in society?

The term that describes a condition of normlessness in society is "anomie." Anomie refers to a state where social norms are unclear or not present, leading to confusion and a lack of guidance for individuals within that society. This often occurs during periods of rapid social change or disruption, where traditional norms become ineffective and people may feel disconnected from the collective values that usually bind a society together. Emile Durkheim, a prominent sociologist, introduced the concept to explain how a breakdown in social norms could lead to deviance and social instability.

Understanding anomie is crucial as it highlights the impact of social structures on individual behavior and the importance of shared norms in maintaining social order. The other choices represent different sociological concepts: alienation refers to feelings of disconnection from society, conformity denotes adherence to social norms, and stigma pertains to the social disapproval or discrimination against particular characteristics or behaviors. However, none capture the essence of normlessness as precisely as anomie does.