This distortion removes the nuance and complexity from situations and makes it a one or the other type thinking. It’s linked to the logical fallacy of false dilemma, where a person is presented with two choices: “Drugs must be banned or society will fall apart, which is best.”
Often the distortions cross over. Looking at the example I just made, where a person records their mind over-time, uncovers the need for intimacy underlies much of the distortion, but then holds on to the distortion of all or nothing thinking, “I’m either in a relationship or unhappy”. So this statement can be seen as all or nothing thinking as well as magnification; two or more distortions can be in play at the same time.