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DURKEIM AND THE STUDY OF SUICIDE WHY DID DURKHEIM STUDY SUICIDE? He did it to establish sociology as an academic discipline with a distinct approach to the 'social' and to establish a 'scientific' methodology and approach. Some texts argue that Durkheim was a positivist. More recent evaluations, e.g. Taylor, argue that Durkheim was a realist. MAIN FINDINGS Factors uncovered through use of official statistics: suicide varies according to: religion, family size, political/national crises, economic conditions, occupational groups, the divorce rate. CONCLUSIONS 1. Within single societies the SR remains constant 2. SR varies between societies 3. SR varies between different groups within the same society. Durkheim therefore discounted individualistic explanations of suicide. He also eliminated statistically factors such as climate, seasons, alcoholism, heredity and mental state. ANALYSIS Based on 'social bonds' that bind an individual to society: · · · · 1. "Social integration" the individuals commitment to norms, values, beliefs. 2. "Moral regulation" societal/group control over individual desires. 3. Equilibrium an appropriate degree of...

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