Explain Émile Durkheim’s theory of suicide, listing and describing each type identified by Durkheim. Then, discuss a recent suicide of someone in the news in light of Durkheim’s theory. (While Durkheim’s theory does not explain individual acts, what social facts are present in this story that link to his typologies?)

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Durkheim detailed the social causes of suicide, identifying four typologies:
? Anomic suicide: A type of suicide that occurs when people do not know what is expected of them, where regulation is low, and they are largely free to run wild.
? Egoistic suicide: A type of suicide that occurs when people are not well integrated into the collectivity and are largely on their own; they feel a sense of futility, meaninglessness, and more of them feel that they are morally free to kill themselves.
? Altruistic suicide: A type of suicide that occurs when people are too well integrated into the collectivity; they are likely to kill themselves in greater numbers because the group leads them, or even forces them, to do so.
? Fatalistic suicide: A type of suicide that occurs in situations of excessive regulation (e.g., slavery), where people are often so distressed and depressed by their lack of freedom that they take their own lives more frequently than otherwise.
• Examples will vary regarding typology linkages. The media often covers mental illness and psychological causes.