We present a psychological model of extremism based on the concept of motivational imbalance whereby a given need gains dominance and overrides other basic concerns. In contrast, moderation results from a motivational balance wherein individuals' different needs are equitably attended to. Importantly, under moderation the different needs constrain individuals' behaviors in prohibiting actions that serve some needs yet undermine others. Those constraints are relaxed under motivational imbalance where the dominant need crowds out alternative needs. As a consequence, the constraints that the latter needs exercise upon behavior are relaxed, permitting previously avoided activities to take place. Because enactment of these behaviors sacrifices common concerns, most people avoid them, hence their designation as extreme. The state of need imbalance has motivational, cognitive, behavioral, affective and social consequences. These pertain to a variety of different extremisms that share the same psychological core: extreme diets, extreme sports, extreme infatuations, diverse addictions, as well as violent extremism. Evidence for the present model cuts across different domains of psychological phenomena, levels of behavioral analysis and phylogeny. We consider the model's implications for further research and explore the tradeoffs between extremism and moderation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

中文翻译：

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极端主义心理学：动机失衡如何滋生不节制。

我们提出了一个基于动机失衡概念的极端主义心理模型，即给定的需求占主导地位并超越其他基本问题。相比之下，适度来自动机平衡，在这种平衡中，个人的不同需求得到公平满足。重要的是，在适度的情况下，不同的需求会限制个人的行为，禁止满足某些需求但损害其他需求的行为。在主导需求排挤替代需求的动机不平衡下，这些限制被放宽。结果，后者需要对行为施加的约束被放松，允许先前避免的活动发生。因为这些行为的制定牺牲了共同的关注，大多数人都回避它们，因此它们被称为极端。需求不平衡状态具有动机、认知、行为、情感和社会后果。这些与具有相同心理核心的各种不同极端主义有关：极端饮食、极端运动、极端迷恋、各种成瘾以及暴力极端主义。本模型的证据跨越了心理现象、行为分析和系统发育的不同领域。我们考虑了该模型对进一步研究的影响，并探讨了极端主义和温和之间的权衡。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2020 APA，保留所有权利）。以及暴力极端主义。本模型的证据跨越了心理现象、行为分析和系统发育的不同领域。我们考虑了该模型对进一步研究的影响，并探讨了极端主义与温和之间的权衡。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2020 APA，保留所有权利）。以及暴力极端主义。本模型的证据跨越了心理现象、行为分析和系统发育的不同领域。我们考虑了该模型对进一步研究的影响，并探讨了极端主义和温和之间的权衡。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2020 APA，保留所有权利）。