(University of Maryland)
http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~hannahk/Welcome.html
On the Psychology of Extremism and Moderation
The term ‘extreme’ and its semantic permutations (e.g. ‘extremism’, ‘extremists’) are widely applied to behavioral phenomena that, on the surface at least, appear quite distinct from each other. For instance, “violent extremism” seems a far cry from ‘extreme diets’, ‘extreme sports,’ or ‘religious extremism’. Despite this heterogeneity, the varied forms of ‘extremism’ share a fundamental psychology in common. In todays talk I describe that psychology in elaborating a general model of extreme behavior. I identify the psychological antecedents of extremism and locate them in the phenomenon of motivational imbalance, wherein a given need overrides other common concerns. I then consider the consequences of such imbalance for motivation, behavior, cognition, and affect. I finally examine the conditions that contribute to terminating extremism and the recovery of moderation.
The colloquium will be held in Psychology Building 035.