There are many different theories surrounding suicide. This essay shall briefly describe Durkheim’s Sociological Theory of suicide and Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory. Psychological autopsies shall then be discussed which have contributed to Shneidman’s shared characteristics of suicide. Suicide victims and prevention will also be discussed.
Durkheim’s Sociological Theory of suicide identifies three different types of suicide – egoistic, altruistic and anomic. Egoistic suicide victims feel that they have too few ties to society and community. They feel alienated from others and cut off from the social supports that are important to keep them functioning adaptively as social beings. Altruistic suicides are responses to societal demands. Individuals feel part of a group and sacrifice themselves for what they take to be the good of society. Some altruistic suicides are literally required as the only honourable recourse in the circumstances. Anomic suicide is triggered by a sudden change in a person’s relation to society. Anomie can pervade society in disequilibrium, making suicide more likely.
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of suicide had two major hypotheses. The first being his theory of depression which basically views suicide as murder. The second being based on thanatos, the death instinct. Freud identified that normal individuals can control their death instinct and direct it outward. Suicidal individuals on the other hand may turn this death instinct inwards which could result in the individual taking their own life.
The Essay on Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions.
He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, ...
A psychological autopsy is an investigation into the death of an individual which is usually a suspected suicide. Psychological autopsies were pioneered at the Los Angeles suicide prevention Centre. It involves analyzing information from crisis phone calls and interviews with relatives and friends of those who are thinking about suicide or those who are believed to have committed the act. The purpose of the autopsy is to determine the actual mode of death and if judged intentional the reasons for it. Of interest is a study of notes left by people who subsequently committed suicide. In Los Angeles at the time of the study 15% of individuals who committed the act left notes. These were rated on the presence or absence of instructions and specific themes such as self-blame, discomfort, death as relief, etc. From these notes Shneidman identified 10 shared characteristics of individuals who committed suicide – seeking a solution, cessation of consciousness, intolerable psychological pain, frustrated psychological need, hopelessness/helplessness, ambivalence, tunnel vision, escape, communication of intention and lifelong coping patterns.
Victims of suicide include children and adolescents. In America 3,000 15 – 19 year olds attempt suicide each year with attempts being made by children as young as 6. Other victims include individuals who commit copycat suicides i.e. copying an idol such as a musician. College students are possibly the group most associated with suicide. This is due to unrealistic high internal pressure and excessive family pressure to excel. It is estimated that 20% of all American college students consider suicide at least once during their college years. Victims of suicide are not just those who have committed the act but also those who are in some way connected to suicide. These include relatives and friends of those who have committed the act and also mental health professionals who have dealt with suicidal individuals.
The Essay on Why do individuals commit crimes?
Why do individuals commit crimes? Society today is very well concerned with this matter. In todays time, there are psychologists, criminologists, biologists, and sociologists searching for an answer. In reality, the answer to this question is very hard to find out. However, for centuries, researchers of all kinds have been persistent in analyzing criminals for an answer. The scholarly attention to ...
Shneidman’s general approach to suicide prevention is threefold. He believed that it was necessary to try to reduce the intense psychological pain and suffering. He also believed in attempting to ‘lift the blinders’ in order to expand the constricted view by helping the individual to see options other than the extremes of continued suffering and nothingness. He identified the need to encourage the person to pull back even a little from the self destructive act. Suicide prevention centres have been set up in order to provide round-the-clock consultation to people who are suicidal. Workers are typically non-professional volunteers under professional supervision. Centres rely heavily on demographic factors. Workers who take phone calls have a checklist to guide the questioning of every caller and must immediately assess how great the risk of suicide may be.
Suicide is a very serious problem across all age groups. A variety or issues and crises need to be resolved throughout the lifespan. Any event in a person’s life may be a matter of life and death. It just depends on the individual’s appraisal of it and their perception of the strengths of personal and external support. Coping strategies such as disclosure and seeking social support reduce the impact of the trauma. Findings regarding suicide substantiate the important roles of groups such as the Samaritans. Everyone must be alert for signs which may require professional intervention.
