Like a Zombie to the Flame: A Comparative Analysis of Toxic Leadership in Negan and Alpha

This presentation provides context into a deeper understanding of human behavior when it comes to the psychology of leadership. It further explains the dynamics groups face when in a position with someone as a toxic leader. In addition, it identifies qualities of a toxic leader and what might cause them. This presentation over The Walking Dead (television show), in the AMC universe which went through many stages of character change and development, will go to further show these characters' motivations and reasoning. Using the information provided in Haslam et al.’s (2020) "The New Psychology ofLeadership," one can use real life studies to make implications about fictional characters and their actions. Negan who uses manipulation through force and scare tactics to form his group and keep them together. While Alpha uses emotional manipulation and fear within hers. By furthering the ideologies provided in the text, such as in-groups versus out-group, in-group prototypicality, etc. one can further their understanding of said characters and also their followers. In addition, this presentation serves to show the importance of follower opinion and feelings when it comes to the leader's success. By using in-show moments, out of show interviews, and real-life psychology studies, this presentation gathers contexts from all angles in order to get a better grasp of the shown characters. Using characters from television shows and other media, it gives us a chance in which to further explore the principles of psychology and create more interest and understanding on real-life actions in the world around us. This project was completed for PSY 350/LDRS 490: Psychology of Leadership.