Suicide, Homicide, and Social Structure in Ceylon

Homicide rates in Ceylon are among the highest known, but suicide rates are low. In certain respects the pattern of suicide and homicide in Ceylon is essentially similar to that found for Western countries. Subcultural differences are important. A psycho-cultural theory of suicide and homicide is formulated with at least three basic elements: individual personality, tension situations, and culturally permissible alternatives. Variation in permissible alternatives due to the relative closeness or looseness of social organization is an important factor of suicide and homicide.