The Evolution of Suicide

by C A Soper

Overview

“[A] fascinating read… Contrary to what the title might suggest, this is an upbeat exploration of suicide with a positive message.” —Jeanine Connor, Therapy Today, December, 2018

This thought-provoking volume offers a distinctly human evolutionary analysis of a distinctly human phenomenon: suicide. Its ‘pain and brain’ model posits animal adaptations as the motivator for suicidal escape, and specific human cognitive adaptations as supplying the means , while also providing a plausible explanation for why only a relatively small number of humans actually take their own lives. The author hypothesizes two types of anti-suicide responses, active and reactive mechanisms prompted by the brain as suicide deterrents. Proposed as well is the intriguing prospect that mental disorders such as depression and addiction, long associated with suicidality, may serve as survival measures.

Among the topics covered:

· Suicide asan evolutionary puzzle.

· The protection against suicide afforded to animals and young children.

· Suicide as a by-product of pain and human cognition.

· Why psychodynamic defenses regulate the experiencing of painful events.

· Links between suicidality and positive psychology.

· The anti-suicide role of spiritual and religious belief.

In raising and considering key questions regarding this most controversial act, The Evolution of Suicide will appeal to researchers across a range of behavioral science disciplines. At the same time, the book’s implications for clinical intervention and prevention will make it useful among mental health professionals and those involved with mental health policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319772998
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	07/24/2018
Series:	Evolutionary Psychology
Edition description:	1st ed. 2018
Pages:	289
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

C A Soper is a psychotherapist with particular experience in helping people with addiction problems and those dealing with the aftermath of suicide and other bereavements. Born in London, he has degrees from University of Cambridge and University of London, and is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This book is based on doctoral research undertaken with University of Gloucestershire in England, which resulted in the award of a PhD. Soper lives and practices in Lisbon, Portugal.

Table of Contents

Introduction.- Reviewing the options: Noise, adaptation, by-product.- Suicide as a by-product of pain and human cognition.- Shiltons: Lat-line, anti-suicide defenses.- Common mental disorders (CMDS) as Shiltons.- Pain-type Krols: Frontline anti-suicide mechanisms.- Brain-type Krols: Restricting access to suicide idea.- Summary, conclusion, implications.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"After a hiatus of thirty-seven years, Soper has given us a stunning qualitative evolutionary theory of suicide."
- Ronald W. Maris, A review of The Evolution of Suicide, Death Studies