Scale Analysis

The Multidimensional Scale of Anomia (MSOA) is a tool designed to assess the sense of anomia that an individual may experience in various aspects of life. The scale consists of five key dimensions: sense of purposelessness, sense of social alienation, sense of powerlessness, sense of normlessness, and sense of self-estrangement. Each dimension includes items that allow for the measurement of the corresponding experience of anomia. The sense of purposelessness examines the extent to which an individual perceives life as meaningless, while the sense of social alienation assesses the degree to which an individual feels isolated from society. The sense of powerlessness refers to the perception that one lacks control over their life, whereas the sense of normlessness refers to the belief that social rules are unclear or inadequate. Finally, the sense of self-estrangement examines the extent to which an individual feels alienated from their own identity. This scale provides valuable data for sociologists and psychologists to better understand and address the effects of anomia.

Scale Objective

The objective of this scale is to evaluate and measure the intensity and extent of the sense of anomia experienced by an individual across different aspects of life. The scale enables researchers to identify specific domains in which people may feel isolated, powerless, alienated, or as if they live in a society without clear and enforceable rules. Through this evaluation, sociologists and psychologists can better understand the impacts of anomia on mental health and social behavior. Furthermore, the scale can be used for the development of targeted interventions and policies aimed at reducing anomia and improving social cohesion and well-being. By providing quantitative data, the Multidimensional Scale of Anomia contributes to a deeper understanding of social phenomena and to addressing the negative consequences of the sense of anomia in people’s daily lives.

Scale Calibration

The MSOA-20 consists of 20 items, which are rated as follows:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Bibliography

Heydari, Arash., Davoudi, Iran., & Teymoori, Ali. (2011). Revising the assessment of feeling of anomie: Presenting a multidimensional scale. Procedia Social and Behavioural Sciences, 30, 1086–1090.
Yang, Anthony. (2015). Quantifying Anomia: Development of a Scale. California State University, Master of Arts thesis.