Anomie, marketization, and prejudice toward purportedly unprofitable groups

Abstract

This paper discusses systematically different concepts of anomie as an explanation of Groupfocused Enmity (GFE) against selected groups in society. The GFE research programme has demonstrated the utility of applying the concept of 'anomia' -an individual reaction to disruptions in the normative order -to explain prejudices against vulnerable groups. This paper extends the GFE research programme by incorporating insights from Institutional Anomie Theory, a theoretical perspective originally introduced in the criminological literature. Drawing upon this, it develops a theoretical model that links perceptions of weakened non-economic institutions with prejudices against groups that are readily seen as being 'unprofitable'. These perceptions are theorized to affect prejudices against such groups via a pathway of 'marketized' attitudes and orientations, net of any influence of anomia. This paper's theoretical model was assessed with data from a representative survey of the German population (n ¼ 840). The results of Structural Equation Modelling support most of the main hypotheses, revealing the additional value for prejudice research of measuring the individual experience of anomie not only as anomia but also with respect to processes of marketization.

Institutional anomie and justification of morally dubious behavior and violence cross-nationally: A multilevel examination

“…Hövermann et al. (2016) also used cross-national data to demonstrate that institutional anomie gives rise to a “marketized mentality,” or commitment to the tenets of disintegrative individualism, providing further development of the social psychological implications suggested by IAT (see also Burkatzki, 2008; Hövermann, Messner, & Zick, 2015). In an examination of intentions to engage in morally dubious acts, Karstedt and Farrall (2006, p. 1017) offer that institutional anomie gives rise to a “syndrome of market anomie” at the individual level, producing acceptance of unethical action among law-abiding citizens.…”

Modernization, formal social control, and anomie: A 45-society multilevel analysis

“…Despite difficulties in pinning down the anomie concept (Bjarnason, 2009; Orrù, 1987: 136), especially on the macro-level, the individual-level manifestations of anomie are clear in their regulatory consequences: a person’s lack of certainty in relation to collective norms. 1 This lack ‘of anything to which one might conform’ constitutes a core thrust within anomie theory (Bjarnason, 2009; citing ‘exteriority’ in Durkheim, 1966; Hilbert, 1986; see also Hövermann et al, 2015: 217; Mcclosky and Schaar, 1965; Zhao and Cao, 2010: 1210–1211).…”

“…In terms of methods, my 45-country sample is larger and more diverse than these studies. Moreover, although they depict uncertainty as central to their anomie concepts (see also Hövermann et al, 2015: 222), they do not directly measure uncertainty. The Zhao and Cao operationalization involves possible anomie consequences (deviance justifiability), and Hövermann et al use ‘marketized mentality’ as a proxy for anomie, although this is actually a correlate or potential cause of anomie.…”

“… 1. Scholars have used the term ‘anomia’ to describe individual-level anomie (Hövermann et al, 2015; Srole, 1956). I avoid it here because anomia’s original meaning was focused on issues linked to out-group and minority acceptance rather than normative uncertainty. …”

The Breakdown of Anti-Racist Norms: A Natural Experiment on Normative Uncertainty after Terrorist Attacks

“…The level of exposure to media moderates reactions to terrorist attacks, such as increased levels of anxiety(Huddy et al, 2002), in-group favoritism(Traugott et al, 2002), and stereotyping immigrants as a threatening(Boomgaarden and de Vreese, 2007).12 In addition to their threatening nature, terrorist attacks are also likely to instill a general sense of uncertainty as to which norms apply by, for example, disclosing previously hidden opinions, or offering a window of opportunity for those individuals who want to frame immigrants as a threat to security to voice their opinion.13 Individuals also seek to gain security by reinforcing predominant social categories(Hövermann et al, 2015), therefore triggering prejudice and xenophobic violence(Jäckle and König, 2018).14 There is a large empirical literature supporting this idea that, whenever facing an uncertain situation, people will look for behavioral regularities. See the literature on "herding behavior" or cascades (e.g.,Banerjee, 1992;Bikhchandani et al, 1992).…”