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Chapter 12
1. Altruistic suicide is
a. the most typical type of suicide.
b. killing oneself for others or for a greater good.
c. a relatively recent sociological development.
d. virtually nonexistent throughout the world.
2. According to the text, coroners tend to list suicide as the cause of death
a. in most cases.
b. only when they cannot determine a separate and distinct cause.
c. only when circumstances unequivocally justify such a determination.
d. when they believe that foul play was involved.
3. According to Edwin Shneidman, knowledge of the extent to which suicide is pervasive in modern society is
a. comprehensive and clear.
b. diminished and distorted.
c. reflective of the American way of life.
d. reflective of the modern impersonal world.
4. A psychological autopsy is
a. an individual's perspective of death.
b. an individual's attitude toward death.
c. a method of determining how a person feels about death.
d. a method of determining a person's thoughts and feelings prior to death.
5. According to the sociological model, fatalistic suicide
a. results from lack of freedom and absence of choice.
b. develops in individuals who over-identify with social values.
c. develops when a person's life has dramatically changed.
d. seldom occurs in modern society.
6. Rational suicide is associated with a
a. desire to escape pain. c. belief that the world is a cruel place.
b. wish to inflict pain on others. d. concern for the welfare of others.
7. As a form of self-destructive behavior, suicide threats and attempts are associated with a
a. cry for help.
b. rational alternative.
c. desire to escape.
d. death wish.
8. It is estimated that for every death by suicide there are
a. 5 attempts.
b. 10 attempts.
c. 20 attempts.
d. 25 attempts.
9. Which of the following forms the MOST deadly link with suicide?
a. media coverage of suicide c. heavy metal music
b. literature about suicide d. substance abuse
10. Of the individuals who commit suicide, approximately what percentage write suicide notes?
a. 10 percent b. 25 percent c. 45 percent d. 65 percent
11. In relation to suicide, the term postvention refers to
a. policies for dealing with the deceased's possessions after death.
b. assistance given to all survivors of suicide.
c. guidance in setting up telephone hotlines.
d. methods of distracting people away from suicide.
12. In helping a person who is in suicidal crisis, it is important to offer reminders concerning
a. the value of life in general.
b. something personally important to him or her.
c. the guilt and sadness the action would bring.
d. how he or she is running away from problems.
TRUE / FALSE
____13. Males attempt suicide more often than do females, but females actually kill themselves more often than do males.
__14. Subintentioned death is defined as one in which the person plays some partial, covert, subliminal,
or unconscious role in hastening his or her own demise.
____15. In the United States, suicide is now the leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.