Contribution of Western and Indian Sociologists — Sociology STD 11 Commerce / Arts — Question

Suicide is a type of death carried by an individual intentionally or deliberately. According to Durkheim suicide is a social phenomenon. Following are the types of suicide.
1. Egoistic suicide : It takes place when an individual is very much self-centred and least bothered about the other members of society, e.g., it is committed by people who become introvert and have less desires to live in the company of others, suicide rates are higher for those widowed, single and divorced.

2. Anomic suicide : When situations go against the norms and values of a person. In such condition individual finds it difficult to face the situation and adjust with that, e.g., suicide of farmers.

3. Altruistic suicide : This type of suicide is different from egoistic suicide. This type of suicide means sacrificing own life for the betterment of people or society, e.g., Sati system, a patient commits suicide for the sake of family.

4. Fatalistic suicide : When an individual is under excessive control from the outside factors fatalistic suicide takes place e.g., Dowry death. According to Durkheim social situations, circumstances, factors are responsible for suicide and become a ‘social fact.’