AAMC FL Practice Exam

What is the term for an individual who feels disconnected from the larger community?

1. Anomie

2. Alienation

3. Isolation

4. Exclusion

The correct answer is: Anomie

The term that describes an individual who feels disconnected from the larger community is anomie. Anomie originates from sociology and was popularized by Émile Durkheim, who used it to describe a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and values within a society. This state can lead to feelings of alienation and disconnection among individuals, as they may feel that societal norms no longer guide their behavior and that they do not have a clear sense of belonging. While alienation is closely related and often used interchangeably, it focuses more on a personal sense of estrangement rather than a broader societal context. Isolation refers to the physical separation from others, and exclusion implies being intentionally left out or marginalized from a group or community. Thus, although the other terms highlight aspects of disconnection, anomie best captures the larger social phenomenon of disconnection from community norms and values.