This is a social condition characterized by the breakdown of norms governing social interaction. This may happen either due to existence of contradictory norms or due to inadequacy of norms. Durkheim used this concept to describe abnormal forms of division of labor and also in his typology of suicide. Later Merton adapted this concept to explain deviance in American Society. According to him Anomie situation arisen when there is lack of coordination between culturally defined goals and the legitimate institutional means of achieving these goals. Individual adaptations to such an anomie situation leads to deviant behavior.