Which of the following is not explained by the Werther Effect?
(A) rates of suicide
(B) single versus multiple suicide
(C) an individual’s likelihood of committing suicide
(D) the deadliness of plane and car crashes
(E) the age of suicide victims
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is (D) the deadliness of plane and car crashes.
The Werther Effect refers to the phenomenon where exposure to suicide, particularly through media or the suicide of a prominent individual, increases the likelihood of others committing suicide in a similar manner. This concept was first described after the publication of Goethe’s novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, which is believed to have inspired a series of suicides in Europe, particularly among young men. The effect demonstrates how suicides, especially those that are publicized, can lead to imitative behavior.
Let’s go through the options one by one:
- (A) Rates of suicide: The Werther Effect directly explains an increase in suicide rates following media exposure to a suicide. Publicizing a suicide can often have a contagion effect, especially among vulnerable individuals who may identify with the deceased.
- (B) Single versus multiple suicides: The Werther Effect also explains the phenomenon of multiple suicides occurring after a high-profile suicide. This is often referred to as a “suicide cluster,” where several individuals in the same geographic or social area commit suicide in a short period, sometimes mimicking the method or circumstances of the original suicide.
- (C) An individual’s likelihood of committing suicide: Exposure to suicides in the media or within one’s community can indeed influence an individual’s decision to commit suicide, especially if they feel isolated or experience depression. The Werther Effect highlights how these external triggers can increase a person’s likelihood of attempting suicide.
- (D) The deadliness of plane and car crashes: This is not related to the Werther Effect. The Werther Effect deals with the social contagion of suicide, not accidents or fatalities like those from plane or car crashes. The deadliness of these incidents is typically attributed to factors like safety measures, driver behavior, and environmental conditions, not imitation or social influence.
- (E) The age of suicide victims: The Werther Effect can sometimes lead to certain demographics, such as young individuals, being more likely to be influenced by suicides in the media. This explains why some suicide clusters may affect specific age groups more than others.
Thus, the Werther Effect is concerned with imitative suicides, not with other types of deadly accidents or the circumstances of plane and car crashes.