Extremism is an acute problem of the present day. Moods of extremism are manifested in all spheres of the life and activities of young people--in education, work, business, political life, and leisure activity. They can be found in both individual and group social self-determination and are influenced by the immediate social environment as well as the wider society. The level and directionality of moods of extremism are linked directly to any change in the social position of young people. Positive changes can bring down the level of extremism, or they can facilitate the manifestation of moods in the direction of social creative endeavor and innovative activity on the part of young people. Changes of social position that are of a negative character can serve as fertile soil for deviation of the state of extremism both with respect to level and with respect to directionality. In such a situation this can make it possible for young people to become united in the pursuit of extremism itself in the form of extremist manifestations. Based on the data from a sociological survey, the authors analyze the directionality and the social base of moods of extremism among young people. (Contains 2 tables and 3 notes.)