The Walking Dead Psychology Psych of the Living Dead

The characters of The Walking Dead live in a desolate postapocalyptic world, filled with relentless violence and death. In reality, how would such never-ending trauma affect the psyche? By understanding the psychological forces that drive the show's action, fans can better grasp this compelling fictional universe. Is the Governor a psychopath, a sociopath, or neither? What does Terror Management Theory tell us about what it means to constantly fight for survival—as Rick must? What is the emotional cost of killing a walker or even another living person? What is groupthink and how does it affect the decisions made by the people of Terminus, Woodbury, and Rick’s gang? In 19 essays from a range of esteemed contributors, a foreword by John Russo, cocreator of Night of the Living Dead, plus "Case Files" sidebars by editor Travis Langley, The Walking Dead Psychology answers these and many other questions in a way sure to fascinate the show's millions of passionate viewers.

Contributors include:
John Blanchar * Megan Blink * Colt J. Blunt * Josué Cardona * Adam Davis * William Blake Erickson * Frank Gaskill * Jennifer Golbeck * Jonathan Hetterly * Katrina Hill * Alan Kistler * Dana Klisanin * Stephen Kuniak * Martin Lloyd * Stephanie Norman * Patrick O’Connor * Katherine Ramsland * Clay Routledge * Billy San Juan * Janina Scarlet * Steven Schlozman * Lara Taylor * Dave Verhaagen * Mara Wood * E. Paul Zehr *

Travis Langley is a professor of psychology and the author of Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight (Wiley). He’s a regular speaker on the subjects of heroism and pop culture at psychology conferences and fan conventions alike, including San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, and the Comics Art Conference. He writes an online column “Beyond Heroes and Villains” for PsychologyToday.com. He lives in Arkadelphia, AK.