Citation

Lester D. Psychol. Rep. 2009; 105(1): 3-10.

Affiliation

The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ 08240-0195, USA. lesterd@stockton.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19810429

Abstract

A meme is a postulated unit or element of cultural ideas, symbols or practices, and is transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena. (The etymology of the term relates to the Greek word mimema for "something imitated".) Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes, in that they self-replicate and respond to selective pressures.

The concept of memes is analyzed, and its applicability to suicidology explored. Proposals are made for possible memes implicated in suicidal behavior. A classification of suicidal memes is proposed and the relationship between memes and archetypes of suicide is discussed. It is suggested that the terminology of meme theory can sharpen research into imitation effects in suicide.

Language: en