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Chapter 10 - Extreme Overvalued Beliefs

from Section 2 - Confounding Factors and Special Populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2025

By
Tahir Rahman  and
Jason G. Roof
Edited by
Tyler Durns ,
Charles Scott ,
Paul Whitehead  and
Barbara E. McDermott
Tyler Durns
Affiliation:
University of Utah
Charles Scott
Affiliation:
University of California, Davis
Paul Whitehead
Affiliation:
University of Utah
Barbara E. McDermott
Affiliation:
University of California, Davis
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Summary

An extreme overvalued belief is shared by others in a person’s cultural, religious, or subcultural group. The belief is often relished, amplified, and defended by the possessor of the belief and should be differentiated from a delusion or obsession. Over time, the belief grows more dominant, more refined, and more resistant to challenge. The individual has an intense emotional commitment to the belief and may carry out violent behavior in its service. This chapter discusses the historical foundations of overvalued idea as first described by neuropsychiatrist Carl Wernicke. Case examples of phenomenology in forensic psychiatry are described, as well as implications for the diagnosis of folie a deux. Case examples of Jacob Chansley (U.S. Capitol attack), Anders Breivik, and Malik Hassan are discussed in detail. Finally, a discussion of Gestalt psychology, moral schemas, as well as binary bias and emotional tagging is presented as important to understanding how extreme overvalued beliefs develop.

Keywords

delusionobsessionextreme overvalued beliefterrorismfolie a deaxAnders BreivikMalik Hassanmass shootingU.S. Capitol attackJanuary 6Jacob ChansleyQAnon Shamanconspiracy theoriesgestalt psychologymoral schemathreat assessment

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Type
Chapter
Information
A Clinical and Forensic Guide to Cults and Persuasive Leadership , pp. 170 - 185
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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