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Ethological Problems with the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
1Private Practice, Lisbon, Portugal.
Omega
|February 24, 2022
Summary
The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) is critiqued from a biological viewpoint. Reconceptualizing IPTS as an ultimate explanation suggests suicide evolved as a survival threat, driving defensive adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) posits suicide arises from desire and capability.
- IPTS is a prominent "desire-capability" model of suicide.
- Biological perspectives offer alternative explanations for suicide.
Purpose of the Study:
- Critique the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) from a biological perspective.
- Reconceptualize the desire-capability hypothesis within an evolutionary framework.
- Explore the implications for understanding and preventing suicide.
Main Methods:
- Utilize Tinbergen's ethological "four questions" (evolution, survival value, ontogeny, proximate causation) for biological analysis.
- Analyze the IPTS desire-capability model through an evolutionary lens.
- Integrate findings with the "pain-brain" theory and organismic anti-suicide defenses.
Main Results:
- IPTS faces challenges when analyzed through all four of Tinbergen's questions.
- Reconceptualizing desire and capability as ultimate, rather than proximate, explanations resolves issues.
- Suicide's evolutionary history suggests it was a survival threat, prompting defensive adaptations.
Conclusions:
- The evolved anti-suicide defenses may render suicide an unpredictable phenomenon.
- IPTS may be more accurately framed as an ultimate evolutionary explanation.
- This reconceptualization has positive implications for suicide prevention and research.
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