1. Sociological v. Individualistic Perspective
“Suicidology” Lesson

2. Two Major Sociological Questions
The Descriptive Question: What do people do?
The Explanatory Question: Why do people do what they do?

3. List 6 Reasons Why Someone May Seriously Consider Suicide…

4. How are Feelings Alike? “Unhappiness Theory” of Suicide
People commit suicide because they are seriously, chronically, and profoundly unhappy
This is an example of an individualistic (or non-sociological) explanation

5. Why is the rate of suicide higher in California than in Illinois?

6. Why is the rate of suicide higher in Nevada than in Georgia?
Nevada suicide deaths per 100,000
Georgia suicide deaths per 100,000

7. Top Ten States for Suicide – Reasons?
CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics calculated age adjusted suicide rates by state. Here are the 10 most suicidal states in America:
10. Oregon: 15.2 suicides per 100,000
9. Utah: 15.4 suicides per 100,000
8. West Virginia: 15.9 suicides per 100,000
7. Arizona: 16.1 suicides per 100,000
6. Colorado: 16.4 suicides per 100,000
5. Nevada: 18.3 suicides per 100,000
4. Montana: 19.4 suicides per 100,000
3. Wyoming: 19.7 suicides per 100,000
2. New Mexico: 20.4 suicides per 100,000
1. Alaska: 22.1 suicides per 100,000

8. Sociological v. Individualistic Perspective
Sociological explanations = external factors
Individualistic (non-sociological) explanations = internal factors