ABSTRACT
Robinson and Shaver (1970) have asserted that alienation is one of the most frequently used and misused concepts of our times. The body of knowledge on this subject is characterized by an unusual amount of terminological confusion. For example, Schacht (1971) cited and discussed a few dozen interpretations of this concept. Others, such as Seeman (1959), have made an attempt to introduce some order into this field. Seeman proposed a multidimensional model of alienation, distinguishing five kinds: powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness (anomia), social isolation, and self-estrangement (see Korzeniowski, 1983). Because these concepts are defined as categories of subjectively experienced beliefs, feelings, or expectations, a more adequate term seems to be senses of alienation. 2
