Drawing on three leading theories of crime/deviance, a model is developed and tested to explain individual variation in the approval of suicide. Data from a national survey are used to test predictions. Predictions are partially supported. Strongest correlates of suicide approval are education, political liberalism, and certain religious…

Analysis of national survey data showed that the equity principle (those who contribute more should receive higher rewards) is a dominant U.S. social value, varying with education but not other life-chance differences. Equality counternorms were related to all life-chance variables, particularly race and income. Contains 30 references. (SV)