Why We're All Living in an Age of Extremism
Briefly

The article explores how extremism transcends violent fringe groups and is deeply embedded in everyday behaviors and societal norms. It highlights that extremism arises from a state of motivational imbalance, where obsessive commitments overshadow all else. Factors like social media algorithms and a high-pressure culture amplify this tendency towards extreme behaviors. Psychologists emphasize that while extremism can have harmful consequences, it is also a capacity inherent to humanity, exhibited by historical figures who pursued their goals with fervor, such as Marie Curie and Martin Luther.
Extremism isn't just out there in fringe movements or in the headlines. It's in our feeds, our families, our habits—and, often, our own minds.
From a psychological perspective, extremism is something broader. It's a state of motivational imbalance—a mental tunnel vision where one goal, belief, or identity becomes so dominant that everything else fades.
Read at Psychology Today
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