Motivational imbalance and sensitivity bias in violent extremist attitudes: the role of ideological passion

This study explores how motivational imbalance, conceptualized in alignment with the Dualistic Model of Passion, is associated with sensitivity bias in the expression of violent extremist attitudes. We hypothesized that individuals high in motivational imbalance would show positive sensitivity bias, endorsing violent extremism at higher rates indirectly than directly, reflecting defensive self-presentation. In a sample of 627 full-time employees, latent profile analysis of harmonious and obsessive passion identified three profiles: low motivational imbalance, high motivational imbalance, and low passion. In a combined list experiment and direct question design, significant sensitivity bias emerged in the total sample; among the profiles, the high motivational imbalance group showed the strongest evidence of sensitivity bias, tending to endorse extremist views at higher rates indirectly than directly. A continuous operationalization of motivational imbalance did not reproduce this pattern. The profile-based pattern is consistent with internal conflict, defensiveness, or frustrated psychological needs, although these mechanisms were not measured and remain untested. Findings provide preliminary theoretical and methodological insights, positioning motivational imbalance as a potential psychological antecedent of extremist attitude suppression and highlighting the value of integrating indirect measurement techniques with person-centered analysis to uncover concealed extremist attitudes that elude traditional assessments.