Final answer:
Individuals who feel a loss of direction when social control has become ineffective experience a state of anomie, as described by Emile Durkheim. It signifies a period of normlessness that can occur during social upheaval or transitions in society's solidarity from mechanical to organic. Strong social ties are important to prevent anomie and maintain societal order.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who feel a loss of direction when social control has become ineffective experience a state of what Emile Durkheim called anomie. This concept is integral to Durkheim's theories regarding the function of society. Anomie, or a sense of normlessness, occurs during periods of social uncertainty or upheaval, such as during economic crises or wars.
During the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity, societies may experience anomie, which can lead to disconnection and weak social ties. This is a result of the deteriorating collective norms that bind a society together. Durkheim posited that in advanced stages of organic solidarity, societies would prevent anomie by re-establishing a set of shared norms that foster social cohesion and integration.
An understanding of anomie is also important in analyzing crime rates through social disorganization theory, which proposes that crime is more likely in communities with weakened social structures and diminished social control, reinforcing the critical role of strong social bonds and effective integration in maintaining societal order and individual well-being.