thanatology

thanatology
thanatological /than'euh tl oj"i keuhl/, adj.thanatologist, n.
/than'euh tol"euh jee/, n.
1. the study of death and its surrounding circumstances, as in forensic medicine.
2. Psychiatry. the study of the effects of death and dying, esp. the investigation of ways to lessen the suffering and address the needs of the terminally ill and their survivors.
[1835-45; THANATO- + -LOGY]

* * *

Description or study of death and dying and of the psychological mechanisms of dealing with them.

One influential model proposed in 1969 by the psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (b. 1926) described five basic stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance; however, not all dying persons follow a regular, clearly identifiable series of responses to their situation. Thanatology also examines attitudes toward death, the meaning and behaviours of bereavement and grief, and other matters.

* * *

▪ death science
      the description or study of death and dying and the psychological mechanisms of dealing with them. Thanatology is concerned with the notion of death as popularly perceived and especially with the reactions of the dying, from whom it is felt much can be learned about dealing with death's approach. Thanatology (from Greek thanatos, “death”) as a professional discipline gathered momentum following the publication of several subject-related books including The Meaning of Death (1959), edited by Herman Feifel, and The Psychology of Death (1972) by Robert Kastenbaum and Ruth Aisenberg. Generally, psychologists have agreed that there are two overall concepts concerning death that help in understanding the simultaneous processes of living and dying. The “my death versus your death” concept emphasizes the irrational belief that while “your death” is a certainty, an exemption may be made in “my case.” The second concept, “partial deaths versus total extinction” stresses the belief that by experiencing the bereavement following the deaths of friends and relatives, a person is brought as close as possible to realizing “partial death.” These experiences colour the individual's attitude toward greater personal losses, culminating with the ultimate loss, life itself.

      In 1969 the Swiss-born psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross conceptualized five stages in facing one's terminal illness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Although most thanatologists accept the Kübler-Ross stages, they also recognize that these stages occur neither with predictable regularity nor in any set order. Further, the five Kübler-Ross stages are but general reactions to many situations involving loss, not necessarily dying. Seldom does a dying person follow a regular, clearly identifiable series of responses. With some, acceptance may come first, then denial; others may cross over constantly from acceptance to denial.

      Thanatology also examines attitudes toward death, the meaning and behaviours of bereavement and grief, and the moral and ethical questions of euthanasia, organ transplants, and life support.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Thanatology — is the academic, and often scientific, study of death among human beings. It investigates the circumstances surrounding a person s death, the grief experienced by the deceased s loved ones, and larger social attitudes towards death such as ritual …   Wikipedia

  • Thanatology — Than a*tol o*gy (th[a^]n [.a]*t[o^]l [ o]*j[y^]), n. [Gr. qa natos + logy.] A description, or the doctrine, of death. Dunglison. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thanatology — (n.) scientific study of death, 1842, from Gk. thanatos death (from PIE *dhwene to disappear, die, perhaps from root meaning dark, cloudy ) + LOGY (Cf. logy). Thanatism (1900) is the belief that at death the soul ceases to exist. Hence also… …   Etymology dictionary

  • thanatology — [than΄ə täl′ə jē] n. [ THANATO + LOGY] the study of death, esp. of the medical, psychological, and social problems associated with dying thanatologist n …   English World dictionary

  • thanatology — noun Etymology: Greek thanatos + English logy Date: circa 1842 the description or study of the phenomena of death and of psychological mechanisms for coping with them • thanatological adjective • thanatologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • thanatology — noun /θanəˈtɒlədʒi/ The study of human aspects of death and the associated grief and rituals …   Wiktionary

  • thanatology — The branch of science concerned with the study of death and dying. [thanato + G. logos, study] * * * than·a·tol·o·gy .than ə täl ə jē n, pl gies the description or study of the phenomena of death and of psychological mechanisms for coping with… …   Medical dictionary

  • thanatology — study of death and its customs Sciences and Studies …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • thanatology — n. branch of science that studies death and medical and psychological/sociological aspects related to it; scientific study of death …   English contemporary dictionary

  • thanatology — [ˌθanə tɒlədʒi] noun the scientific study of death and practices associated with it. Derivatives thanatological adjective thanatologist noun Origin C19: from Gk thanatos death + logy …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”