Durkheim's typology of suicide is based on the levels of social integration and regulation. Altruistic suicide occurs when social integration is excessively high, causing the individual to sacrifice themselves for the group. Conversely, egoistic suicide occurs when social integration is too low, leading to a sense of detachment and lack of belonging to the community.

Émile Durkheim is widely credited with establishing sociology as a formal academic discipline. In 1887, he was appointed to the University of Bordeaux, where he became the first person to hold a professorship specifically titled 'Sociology' in France, effectively institutionalizing the field within the university system.

Durkheim considered social solidarity to be the essential 'glue' that holds society together. He explored how different types of societies achieve this cohesion, distinguishing between mechanical solidarity in traditional societies and organic solidarity in modern, complex societies characterized by a high division of labor.

Émile Durkheim published 'The Rules of Sociological Method' in 1895. This work is foundational to the discipline as it outlines the methodological principles for studying sociology as a distinct science, specifically focusing on the objective analysis of social facts and the necessity of empirical research in sociological inquiry.

Durkheim’s study, 'Suicide,' argued that social integration and regulation are crucial. He found that individuals with stronger social ties and integration into their communities were less likely to commit suicide. This demonstrated that suicide, often seen as an individual act, is influenced by social forces and the degree of social cohesion.

Émile Durkheim identified 'anomic suicide' as occurring during periods of rapid social change or economic instability, where social norms are unclear or disrupted. This lack of clear guidance and regulation (anomie) leaves individuals feeling disconnected and unable to cope with the pressures of society, leading to higher suicide rates.

Durkheim argued that as societies become more complex and specialized due to the division of labor, they transition from mechanical to organic solidarity. In organic solidarity, social cohesion is maintained through the interdependence of individuals performing specialized roles, similar to organs in a biological body.

In his classic work 'Suicide' (1897), Émile Durkheim categorized suicide into four types based on the levels of social integration and social regulation: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic suicide. This study was groundbreaking for using empirical data to analyze a deeply personal act through a sociological lens.

Durkheim observed that suicide rates were higher during times of peace and lower during times of war or revolution. He explained this phenomenon using the concept of social integration. During periods of war or revolution, societies experience heightened collective solidarity and a stronger sense of purpose, which reduces feelings of isolation and anomie (normlessness). This increased social cohesion leads to lower suicide rates. In contrast, during times of peace, societal bonds may weaken, and individuals may experience greater feelings of alienation or lack of purpose, contributing to higher suicide rates.

Émile Durkheim coined the term 'mechanical solidarity' to describe the social integration found in traditional, pre-industrial societies. In these settings, individuals share similar work, values, and lifestyles, creating a strong collective consciousness. This contrasts with 'organic solidarity,' which characterizes modern, industrial societies where social cohesion is maintained through the interdependence of specialized roles and the division of labor.