A Predictive Approach to Freud’s Formulations Regarding Suicide

This study used independent judges to analyze whether 33 genuine & 33 simulated suicide notes conformed to 25 statements derived from Freud’s theories on suicide. The authors found that the genuine notes conformed to Freud’s beliefs to a greater degree than the simulated notes. Genuine notes indicated loss, rejection, preoccupation with a lost person, anger towards oneself but appearing to be angry with someone else, & turning murderous impulses back on oneself. (VM)