You just learned that a person you knew in high school committed suicide. You were surprised until you later learned that the person had developed into something of a loner and had cut off ties with her church, family, and closest friends. Complicating matters, your friend had been unemployed for many months. Following Durkheim, you would be most likely to classify her suicide as:

Question

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Durkheim's theory of suicide suggests that suicide is caused by social integration (degree of attachment or involvement in social groups) and social regulation (extent to which individuals are guided by external norms and expectations). The fact that the person had cut off ties with her church, family, and closest friends suggests a lack of social integration, which is characteristic of egoistic suicide. The person's unemployment could also contribute to the feeling of social isolation and a lack of purpose, further suggesting egoistic suicide. Durkheim's theory of suicide defines egoistic suicide as the result of weak social integration and low social regulation. In this case, the person had cut off ties with her church, family, and closest friends, which indicates weak social integration. Further, the fact that she had been unemployed for many months may have contributed to feelings of isolation and hopelessness. These factors suggest that her suicide was more egoistic than any of the other options listed.

You Just Learned That a Person You Knew in High