Citation

Dein S, Littlewood R. Int. J. Soc. Psychiatry 2005; 51(3): 198-210.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry , University College London, UK. s.dein@ucl.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16252789

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The authors examine the possible interpretations of apocalyptic suicide--a form of suicide amongst a group which believes that the world will end imminently. MATERIAL: Through a literature search the authors identify a number of paradigmatic cases exemplifying this phenomenon including Jonestown, Waco, The Order of the Solar Temple and Heaven's Gate. DISCUSSION: Interpretations of apocalyptic suicide might consider individual factors--the most common approach--but also the social and eschatological themes which are found in the group's ideological work. Religious violence (including suicide) may be precipitated in a dialectical interaction between group members and the perceived outside world. We consider here the ideological aspects that commonly lead to a dualist epistemology for the group. CONCLUSION: Apocalyptic suicide involves a shift of personal self and agency to the social self of the charismatic group.

Language: en