Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Self-Esteem and Culture01:26

Self-Esteem and Culture

Self-esteem, a core psychological construct, is intricately shaped by cultural context and varies significantly between collectivist and individualistic societies. In collectivist cultures such as Japan, self-esteem tends to be flexible, context-sensitive, and influenced by relationships. A Japanese student, for instance, may show restraint in formal settings like school but behave more openly among close friends, reflecting the flexible and dynamic nature of self-concept in such...
Self Within Cultural Contexts01:30

Self Within Cultural Contexts

Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
The Role of Culture01:23

The Role of Culture

Culture plays a crucial role in shaping self-identity and influencing thought and behavior, a foundational interest within social psychology. The multicultural perspective recognizes that individuals do not exist in a vacuum; instead, their experiences, perceptions, and actions are deeply influenced by the intersecting dimensions of their cultural, ethnic, and social group affiliations.Cultural Influence on Self-Identity and Social PerceptionCultural frameworks inform how individuals define...
Self-Serving Bias01:29

Self-Serving Bias

Self-serving bias is a cognitive phenomenon in which individuals attribute positive outcomes to internal factors such as their abilities, intelligence, or effort while attributing negative outcomes to external circumstances. This cognitive distortion helps maintain self-esteem but can also impede objective self-assessment.Theoretical Explanations of Self-Serving BiasTwo primary theories explain the self-serving bias: the cognitive explanation and the motivational explanation.The cognitive...
Cultural Influences on Personality01:26

Cultural Influences on Personality

Individualist and collectivist cultures emphasize different core values, shaping personality in distinct ways. In individualist cultures, such as those in the United States, England, and Australia, people prioritize independence, competition, and personal achievement. These societies tend to promote self-focused traits, with individuals often reporting higher levels of self-esteem. In contrast, collectivist cultures, commonly found in regions like Asia, Africa, and South America, emphasize...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Targeting ferroptosis with the lipoxygenase inhibitor PTC-041 as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

PloS one·2024
Same author

Newer Treatments for Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

The Medical clinics of North America·2024
Same author

Elements of an Excellent Psychiatry Clerkship Experience: A Survey Study of Graduating Medical Students.

Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry·2021
Same author

Faculty Perceptions of Formative Feedback from Medical Students.

Teaching and learning in medicine·2019
Same author

Targeting ferroptosis: A novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of mitochondrial disease-related epilepsy.

PloS one·2019
Same author

Double-blind, randomized and controlled trial of EPI-743 in Friedreich's ataxia.

Neurodegenerative disease management·2018
Same journal

Ultra-Early Mobilization After Split-Thickness Skin Grafting in Burn Patients Is Not Associated with Graft Loss.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026
Same journal

Classification Systems & Clinical Outcomes of Axillary Burn Contracture: A Systematic Review & Meta Analysis.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026
Same journal

Synthesis of Protocols for Frostbite Care from the FROST Study Sites.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026
Same journal

Identifying Risk Factors for Readmission amongst Unhoused Burn Patients.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026
Same journal

Family Income and Recovery Outcomes in Pediatric Burn Survivors: A Burn Model System National Database Study Assessing Functional and Psychosocial Differences.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026
Same journal

LIBRE GO!: A Mobile Application for Longitudinal Social Participation Assessment and Resources Connection after Burn Injury.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice
07:08

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: September 29, 2021

Self-immolation: cause and culture.

Sharon Romm1, Heidi Combs, Matthew B Klein

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association
|October 14, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Self-immolation, or death by fire, has a long history across cultures, used in protest, personal suffering, and artistic expression. This review explores its historical, cultural, and psychological dimensions.

More Related Videos

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells
07:47

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells

Published on: January 21, 2020

In Situ Gas Analysis and Fire Characterization of Lithium-Ion Cells During Thermal Runaway Using an Environmental Chamber
08:42

In Situ Gas Analysis and Fire Characterization of Lithium-Ion Cells During Thermal Runaway Using an Environmental Chamber

Published on: March 31, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice
07:08

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: September 29, 2021

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells
07:47

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells

Published on: January 21, 2020

In Situ Gas Analysis and Fire Characterization of Lithium-Ion Cells During Thermal Runaway Using an Environmental Chamber
08:42

In Situ Gas Analysis and Fire Characterization of Lithium-Ion Cells During Thermal Runaway Using an Environmental Chamber

Published on: March 31, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Psychology
  • History

Background:

  • Self-inflicted death by fire, or self-immolation, is a phenomenon documented throughout history.
  • It appears in various contexts, including mythology, religious traditions, and cultural practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical and cultural accounts of self-immolation.
  • To explore the motives behind this act, including protest and ending suffering.
  • To examine its representation in the arts and its psychodynamic significance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of historical records.
  • Analysis of mythological and religious texts.
  • Examination of artistic representations (fiction, opera, film, music).
  • Exploration of psychodynamic interpretations.

Main Results:

  • Self-immolation has been a recurring act across diverse historical periods and cultures.
  • Motives range from political protest and response to maltreatment to escaping intense personal suffering.
  • The act is frequently employed as a literary and artistic device.

Conclusions:

  • Self-immolation is a complex phenomenon with deep historical, cultural, and psychological roots.
  • Understanding its multifaceted nature is crucial for interpreting its significance in human behavior and expression.
  • Further psychodynamic exploration may illuminate the underlying motivations and symbolism.