Suicidology: Durkheim's types: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Suicidology: Durkheim's types

Sample item

In Durkheim's classification, suicide among people who feel excessively integrated into a group and who sacrifice themselves for it, such as a soldier or a sati, is

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Altruistic suicide

Durkheim described egoistic suicide from low social integration, altruistic suicide from over-integration where the individual sacrifices life for the group, anomic suicide from sudden social disruption, and fatalistic suicide from excessive regulation. Altruistic suicide is seen in military and ritual settings.

Option by option

  • A. Anomic suicide

    Anomic suicide follows sudden economic or social upheaval.

  • B. Egoistic suicide

    Egoistic suicide arises from weak social bonds and isolation.

  • C. Fatalistic suicide

    Fatalistic suicide follows oppressive regulation with no future, as in slaves.

  • D. Altruistic suicide (correct)

    Correct. Self-sacrifice from over-integration is altruistic suicide.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Altruistic suicide. Durkheim described egoistic suicide from low social integration, altruistic suicide from over-integration where the individual sacrifices life for the group, anomic suicide from sudden social disruption, and fatalistic suicide from excessive regulation.

Why is "Anomic suicide" not the answer?

Anomic suicide follows sudden economic or social upheaval.

Why is "Egoistic suicide" not the answer?

Egoistic suicide arises from weak social bonds and isolation.

Why is "Fatalistic suicide" not the answer?

Fatalistic suicide follows oppressive regulation with no future, as in slaves.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Suicidology: Durkheim's types in Psychiatry. Altruistic suicide is seen in military and ritual settings.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Suicidology: Durkheim's types?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.