Emile Durkheim's theory of suicide

Emile Durkheim's theory of suicide, developed in the 1800s, is directly related to the contemporary discussion of suicides among law enforcement personnel. Theorists have attempted to account for the causes of suicide since Durkheim put forth his explanation in 1897. However, regardless of the theoretical basis, suicide appears to be the result of a combination of factors. The eclectic, multicausal approach used today to explain suicide includes social, psychological, and biological components. Although revisions have been suggested by other theorists, Durkheim's theories are as relevant today as when he began his work in this area over a hundred years ago.

Emile Durkheim, a former French education professor, is considered the founder of modern sociology as an academic disciple. The primary focus of Durkheim's theory of suicide centered on the involvement of the individual with society. Durkheim embraced a concept of society as a moral construct maintained through the subjection of egoism by developing common or collective consciousness-conscience. As a result of this socialized construct, religion or any comparable system of beliefs and values, provided the infrastructure for the relation between the individual and society. Relative social contextualization of human understanding, whether religious or scientific, forms the basis of Durkheim's view. Problems arise when such beliefs and values are not inculcated into each individual as traditional social forms coll

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suppress their emotional response to what they see. Other elements include changes in the laws passed over the years and police image. The new laws put some constraints on police actions and, in some instances, have made the job more frustrating. The Police image or persona, which some people believe is the number one problem, creates the illusion in some officers that they have to go out there and be superhuman. And last, many police officers do not seek help when they need it because the action can stigmatize them as troubled officers and halt their careers. A three-year study released by the New York Police Department in 1994 had similar findings. Police officers were more than twice as likely to kill themselves as were members of the general population. Though every case was different, some patterns emerged. Male officers were the more likely suicide candidate than female officers. Alcohol often played some role. The officer had usually been drinking before committing the act. In addition, the revelation of some corruption or scandal within the department was usually followed by one or more suicides. Despite all the evidence, police officers seldom blame the tension of living forever in the cross fire. Ve

Category: Psychology - E