Thomas Joiner is an American academic psychologist and leading expert on

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...

. He is the Robert O. Lawton Professor of Psychology at

Florida State University Florida State University (FSU or Florida State) is a Public university, public research university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preeminent university in the s ...

, where he operates his Laboratory for the Study of the Psychology and Neurobiology of Mood Disorders, Suicide, and Related Conditions. He is author of ''Why People Die by Suicide'' (Harvard University Press 2005) and ''Myths about Suicide'' (Harvard University Press 2010), and the current

editor-in-chief An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies. The editor-in-chief heads all departments of the organization and is held accoun ...

of ''

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior ''Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal published six times per year by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association of Suicidology. The journal was established in 1971 by Edwin S. Shneidman. Its c ...

''. In ''Why People Die by Suicide'', Joiner posits the interpersonal theory of suicide, a three-part explanation of suicide which focuses on ability and desire. The desire to die by suicide comes from a sense of disconnection from others and lack of belonging, combined with a belief that one is a burden on others. The ability to die by suicide comes from a gradual desensitization to violence and a decreased fear of pain, combined with technical competence in one or more suicide methods. Under this model, a combination of desire and ability will precede most serious suicide attempts. Joiner holds a Ph.D. from the

University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public university, public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 stud ...

. In 2023, Joiner appeared on the history-centered podcast, Out of the Box with Jonathan Russo.

References

External links

''Myths about Suicide,'' from Harvard University Press

Lab Webpage
Living people University of Texas at Austin alumni Florida State University faculty 21st-century American psychologists 1965 births Suicidologists American academic journal editors 20th-century American psychologists James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award recipients {{US-psychologist-stub