---
title: New Book Asks Us to Confront Extremism in the World—and Ourselves
date: 2025-02-14T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/new-book-asks-us-to-confront-extremism-in-the-world-and-ourselves"
section: Articles
---
# New Book Asks Us to Confront Extremism in the World—and Ourselves

*February 14, 2025* — by [Laura Ours](/author/laura-ours)


> UMD Psychologist Recommends Balance Vs. Over-the-top Behaviors in Work or Play

*Adobe Stock 97126876 1920x1080 — Extremism doesn't just manifest in politics, says a distinguished UMD psychology researcher and co-author of a new book on the phenomenon; it can drive us to heights of excellence, but also cause personal and societal divisions if we don't find balance.*

The term “extremist” conjures images of terror attacks, coups and crimes committed in the name of religion. When we wonder what motivates extremism, we’re usually thinking about people very different from us—a distinct “other.” But in a new book, a University of Maryland professor and his coauthor suggest we should also be examining extremism as it occurs in our own communities and even in ourselves.


*"The Psychology of the Extreme" book cover*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Books](https://today.umd.edu/topic/books), [Psychology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/psychology), [Terrorism](https://today.umd.edu/topic/terrorism), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences)