PsyberSpace: Understand Your World

Extinction Burst: The Desperate Ways Extremists and their Movements React When Losing Ground

In this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the concept of extinction bursts—predictable patterns of intensifying behavior when long-standing negative behaviors lose effectiveness. Drawing on examples from political, social, and historical contexts, the episode explains how these bursts manifest in both individual and group behaviors, and why they're particularly relevant given today's rapid societal changes. The discussion extends to the effects of spontaneous recovery and emphasizes the importance of consistent societal response for building resilient and inclusive communities.

00:00 Introduction to Extinction Bursts
01:27 The Psychology of Extinction Bursts
02:15 Group Behavior and Extinction Bursts
07:46 Historical Parallels to Extinction Bursts
11:30 Spontaneous Recovery and Its Impact
14:52 Effective Responses and Community Resilience

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