Cultural Patterns of Suicide: The Role of Learning (IN: Suicide as a Learned Behavior, by D Lester)

Many studies have shown that differences in suicide rates are due to cultural characteristics & are not due to reporting practices. Using Hendin’s (1964) study of suicide in Scandanavia, the kinds of learning experiences that shape children’s later suicidal behaviour are identified. It is concluded that the high frequency of suicide in Denmark & Sweden lies in the way parents treat their children. Thus, the argument that suicide in these countries is a learned behaviour is supported. (4 refs.)