In the 1840s, American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) observed that “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
Thoreau dealt with his own feelings of alienation by retreating to a solitary, simple life on the banks of Walden Pond in rural Massachusetts. He felt less isolated there—even though he lived in solitude—than when he lived in a town, surrounded by people. When living in town, his feelings of alienation confronted him daily, since his activities did not reflect his true feelings and desires.
Alienation is expressed differently by different people. Some become withdrawn and lethargic; others may react with hostility and violence; still others may become disoriented, rejecting traditional values and behavior by adopting an outlandish appearance and erratic behavior
patterns. As society undergoes rapid changes, and traditional values and behavioral standards are challenged, some people find little they can believe in and so have difficulty constructing a reality in which they can find a place for themselves. It is for this reason that social
and cultural beliefs play such an important role in bringing about or averting a feeling of alienation.
Taken from : The Gale Encyclopedia Of Psychology 2ND Edition - Bonnie Strickland