Emile Durkhein  began his study of suicide as a way to legitimate the field of sociology. Durkheim considers suicide to be the most subjective behavior. Therefore, he thought, if the sociological expression can explain suicide it can explain anything. This was the first effort of positivist sociology.

As a sociologist Durkheim studied the rate of sucide occurances, as opposed to the personal objectives of those who attempt to commit or are successful in committing suicide. Through his findings on the rates of suicide Durkheim was able to categorize suicide into three types: altruistic suicide, egoistic suicide, and anomic suicide.

Altruistic suicide occurs when one is overly bonded to society and is unable to distinguish the self from society. Occurances of this type of suicide increase when the division of labor is low and decrease when the cult of the individual is raised. A clear example of this type of suicide can be see in the case of suicide bombers. They are unable to distinguish the importance of self from the importance of their society, they are willing to do anything, even die for their society. Hints the name altruistic suicide. However, this is not a truly altruistic act because suicide bombers are often promised rewards in the after-life by their societies' leaders; like, virgins in heaven.

Egoistic suicide occurs when man no longer feels a reason for existence. Often this is a result of one having little constraint in their life. It can occur when one experiences unlimited desires and is no longer satisfied with life. Durkheim notes that poverty protects against this type of suicide, in that it is a restraint itself.

Anomic suicide is perhaps the most complex type of suicide Durkheim distinguishes, because it is so closely related to egoistic suicide. Essentially, as it's name suggests, anomic suicide results from moral deregulation, when societal rules are no longer clear and the suffering that ensues. Like egoistic suicides, anomic suicides are often influenced by economic conditions. Durkheim clarifies the two by saying, "In egoistic suicide it is deficient in truly collective activity, thus depriving the latter of object and meaning. In anomic suicide, society's influence is lacking in the basically individual passions, thus leaving them without a check-rein" (Lemert, 2004:83).