Reading Comprehension: Durkheim's Study of Suicide

Emile Durkheim, the first person to be formally recognized as a sociologist and the most scientific of the pioneers, conducted a study that stands as a research model for sociologists today. His investigation of suicide was, in fact, the first sociological study to use statistics. In Suicide (1964, originally published in 1897) Durkheim documented his contention that some aspects of human behaviour – even something as allegedly individualistic as suicide – can be explained without reference to individuals.

Like all of Durkheim's work, suicide must be viewed within the context of his concern for social integration. Durkheim wanted to see if suicide rates within a social entity are related to the degree to which individuals are socially involved (integrated and regulated). Durkheim describes three types of suicide: egoistic, anomic, and altruistic. Egoistic suicide is promoted when individuals do not have sufficient social ties. Altruistic suicide occurs when social integration is too strong. Durkheim's third type – anomic suicide – increases when the social regulation of individuals is disrupted (e.g. during economic depressions or rapid prosperity).

Higher suicide rate during rapid progress in a society is a manifestation of

Single adults not heavily involved with family life are more likely to commit suicide. Durkheim categorized this as