Lately there’s been a lot of coupling going on in the Walker apocalypse. Maybe it’s that Rick’s people are starting to settle into a fair sense of security or maybe it’s because love and romance always raise the stakes in a TV show…Or maybe it’s just psychosocially accurate. Over the years there have been studies showing that intense situations and intense conversations can make those around you more attractive. When someone is keyed up, scared, in fear for their safety and/or life, they fall into attraction more easily and more strongly than when not…basically, when you’re fighting for survival in the apocalypse you’re way more likely to fall in love too. Simply being close to someone on a near constant basis can also cause attraction, just as being exposed to a person over and over can. Really, it’s no wonder those on The Walking Dead are pairing up like those in an ark.
One of the most common arguments I hear against someone – real or fictional – being a sociopath is that the person loves someone else. While I understand the presumption that a psychopath/sociopath cannot love, it simply is not true. They love, just not in the same manner or presentation as the average/neurotypical person. Theirs is a selfish, incredibly intense, love that can come and go seemingly at random…but it is love. A love that a fair number of fictional “psychos” feel, including Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter.
Wicked Nerdery 