[10.0] Durkheim, positivism and suicide Flashcards
What is our behaviour caused by in Durkheim’s view?
Social facts - forces found in the structure of society.
What are the three features of social facts that Lukes identifies?
External to individuals.
Constrain individuals.
Greater than individuals.
How does Durkheim see the suicide rate?
As a social fact.
What are the four regular patterns Durkheim noted when studying suicide rates for various European countries?
- Suicide rates remained constant.
- When rates changes, these corresponded with other changes.
- Different societies have different suicide rates.
- Rates varied within societies between different social groups.
How many types of suicide did Durkheim identify?
Four.
What are the two social facts that determine the suicide rate?
Social integration and moral regulation.
What is egoistic suicide caused by?
Too little social integration.
What is altruistic suicide caused by?
Too much social integration.
What is anomic suicide caused by?
Too little moral regulation.
What is fatalistic suicide caused by?
Too much moral regulation.
How do different societies differ in their levels of integration and regulation?
Modern industrial societies have lower levels of integration, and traditional pre-industrial societies have high regulation.
What did Halbwachs suggest?
Differences between urban and rural residences were the main reason for differing suicide rates.
What did Sainsbury suggest?
Suicide rates in London boroughs were highest where social disorganisation were highest.
What do Gibbs and Martin argue?
Durkheim does not operationalise his concept of integration. They operationalise integration by suggesting the term of status integration where educational achievements and job level match.
How else is Durkheim’s suicide theory criticised?
Statistics used were incomplete and unreliable.
