Suicide
Durkheim and Interactionalist theory of suicide, including A02.
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?- Created by: Jessica Hewett
- Created on: 28-05-13 14:20
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- Suicide
- Durkheim
- Positivist approach to research, over a 20 year period with official statistics and documents.
- Seen as a social explanation rather than individual, otherwise there wouldn't be trends.
- People naturally selfish, only care for others when forced to, this is through emphasized bonds i.e. social integration through socialisation and shared values.
- Lower suicide with greater social integration e.g. Roman Catholics and Hindu societies highly integrated, so care for others more.
- 4 types of suicide
- Egoistic society;
- Individual rights and happiness are stressed, so wider groups have weakened in social bonds.
- Individual failure or unhappiness are acceptable grounds for taking own life.
- Social institutions try and counteract egoistic values and strengthen bonds e.g. Government agencies.
- National crisis e.g. war, can lead societies to be drawn together so there is more social integration.
- Altruistic societies;
- Welfare of individuals less important, than welfare from the group.
- Suicides occur were people are expected to commit suicide on behalf of wider society e.g. suicide bombers.
- Anomic societies;
- If cultural and social mechanisms that restrict unacceptable behaviour are weakened, some resort to natural selfishness.
- Happens in times of great social change.
- Fatalistic societies;
- Lose the will to live.
- Could explain prison suicide rates.
- Japanese soldiers and civilians in closing stages of World War
- Lose the will to live.
- Egoistic society;
- A02;
- No clear definition of Social Cohesion / Integration.
- Fails to see how links to family or religion can be proven.
- Official statistics are unreliable as some Doctors may not certify suicide if there's a stigma attached to it.
- The killing of oneself. (The ultimate act of deviance)
- Interpretivists approach
- Believe society is based on individuals interaction.
- Felt Durkheim's research was inappropriate.
- Douglas 1967
- TRANSFORMING THE SELF; gaining release from the cares of the world.
- TRANSFORMING ONESELF ONTO OTHERS; telling others how profound their feelings are on a particular issue
- ACHIEVING FELLOW FEELING; ask for help of sympathy.
- GAINING REVENGE; forced into a position of suicide.
- A02
- Based on assumptions
- No single act can therefore be determined as suicide, only death being the main concept as people place different meanings on their acts.
- Durkheim's work is based on statistical comparisons which is worthless to the individual.
- Atkinson
- Suicide is a social construct, it is up to a coroner, who's decisions is based on clues.
- Suicide note, but in 30% of cases the family destroy this.
- Mode of death
- Location and Circumstances; usually in a place unlikely to be discovered
- Life history and Mental condition; search for evidence e.g. depression or negative events in the deceased life.
- Suicide is a social construct, it is up to a coroner, who's decisions is based on clues.
- Taylor 1990
- Para-suicides; majority of people who attempt suicide fail.
- Most suicides don't die, but leave the decision to fate if found or not.
- Durkheim and Douglas can be brought together as mutually exclusive.
- Para-suicides; majority of people who attempt suicide fail.
- Durkheim
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