Thomas Joiner is Distinguished Research Professor and Bright-Burton Professor of Psychology at Florida State University.
Myths about Suicide seeks to debunk the myriad ways that
suicide is stigmatized by ignorance, disgust, contempt, and
callousness. -- Peter Monaghan * Chronicle of Higher Education
*
In this very readable book, Joiner's wide ranging knowledge of the
subject leads to deeply penetrating thoughts on the psychology of
suicide. He attacks myths from multiple perspectives, drawing on
materials from biblical times to the present, scientific research
studies and clinical case studies, animal studies, literature,
popular culture, and film. The book also advances Joiner's own
theory of suicide: people who kill themselves feel that they are a
burden to their socially significant others and feel alienated from
society. Whether readers are beginning students or advanced
researchers, they will find an abundance of stimulating thought and
data here. -- W. Feigelman * Choice *
When people kill themselves and those left behind are interviewed,
they often respond with timeworn phrases, understandably. But such
cliches often only spread myths...Joiner doesn't discuss the
morality of killing oneself, nor how suicide can sometimes be a
reasonable option. Rather, he seeks to spread the truth about
suicide while "leaving a healthy fear of it intact." In that way,
many lives may be saved and much anguish averted. Joiner's theory
is that people desire suicide when they simultaneously hold these
two psychological states in their minds for long enough: the
perception that one is a burden and the sense that one does not
belong. Only a more widespread and accurate understanding of
suicide, he insists, can help counteract such states and prevent
unnecessary deaths. -- Susan K. Perry * Psychology Today *
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