Apparently, a lot according to this Wall Street Journal article entitled “Are Alpha Males Healthy?”:
It isn’t easy being an alpha male. Getting to the top and staying there takes a physical toll.
The latest evidence comes from wild baboons in Kenya’s Amboseli basin. Researchers from Princeton and Duke universities studied 125 males in five groups over nine years and found that while the alpha males got the best food and the most mates, they experienced far more stress than the beta males just beneath them in the hierarchy, based on the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in fecal samples.
The beta males had almost as many mates and got just as much grooming from others, but they didn’t have to spend as much time fighting or following females around to keep other males away.
The article mentions a book called Alpha Male Syndrome.
While it is possible that alphas are more stressed and that betas have a more relaxing life, I’m not so sure. Betas have their own problems, we may just not have enough research and understanding of beta men to see the impact on their psychological life and on society. It seems to me that this article and book is more of an exercise in steering masculine men towards acting more like women, though in a subtle way by saying “being an alpha is bad for your health, it could kill you.”
Do you think being an Alpha male is unhealthy? If so, is being a Beta better?
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Alpha status is both stressful and sacrificial…but no Beta has ever led a bayonet charge.
The Alpha male frequently forgoes the satisfaction of his desires in favor of the well-being of those he’s sworn to protect…but women are drawn to them, and Betas take orders from them.
The Alpha male is frequently the target of the envious and resentful…and those folks are always Betas.
The Alpha male “enjoys” an elevated risk of early death, disability, or disfigurement…but he goes to his reward in peace of soul, knowing that he’s done all he could.
Is our society trying to “de-Alpha-ize” American men? (I wanted to say “alphabetize,” but it would have been too easy to misunderstand.) No, but there are communities of interest that would find that a desirable development. They must be fought.
The funny thing about Alpha status is how simple it is to attain. Not “easy,” just simple. And the desire of all young boys to be Alphas makes it plain that the phenomenon will not be easily eradicated from our kind.
Oh, for God’s sake! These little pin-headed science geeks whine and cry over the fact that they’re little sniveling betas and always will be. They trump up some study to try to convince women they’re not utterly worthless, thereby proving to everyone that they ARE.
What’s said here by “Alpha” is absolutely true. When you’re an alpha, it’s as natural as breathing. You can’t imagine being any other way. Most stress is induced in people who aren’t confident about themselves. Any stress that comes my way is some beta underling’s problem. It’s called delegating. Stress in getting women? There isn’t any, because women seek someone who is in control. They want mastery of the self and a guy who will lead.
I don’t suffer from stress, I inflict it.
You are a pretty silly fellow. Human relationships/societies are a great deal more nuanced than the alpha male model. Leadership is also a great deal more nuanced as well. I’m guessing you fancy yourself an alpha male. I’ve always found anyone who actually believes all the alpha male stuff and takes it seriously (these guys are always convinced they are alpha males) to be absolutely hilarious.
Well, then let’s just say the feeling is mutual, shall we?
I’m silly for thinking that human societies/relationships are more complex than a simple hierarchy?
I think I’ll explain further of how what you are saying is wrong so you don’t continue to think that I am simply jealous of the alpha status of alpha males.
Let’s go back to a couple of your statements such as:
“Alpha status is both stressful and sacrificial…but no Beta has ever led a bayonet charge.”
“…and Betas take orders from them.”
Speaking as an Infantryman that statement is garbage. Leadership is facilitating your subordinates to accomplish the joint effort. There are many leadership different leadership styles, techniques and tools. Leadership is largely a series of interconnected and learnable skills.
Anyone who thinks they are a leader not a follower is wrong. If someone doesn’t know how to follow well they don’t know how to lead well. People who feel they should naturally be leaders (or perhaps more accurately said, feel that they shouldn’t be followers) are usually garbage in leadership positions. When they achieve success it is generally through leaching off the efforts and competence of others while contributing little themselves.
This is also mostly concerned with the military form of leadership. Emphasis in different skills/areas of leadership may be required in other conditions.
As to the general concept of alpha males it is pretty silly. Given that the average person is involved in multiple social groups (Some of them not particularly inclined to a hierarchy structure) to think that you can somehow reduce a persons social standing to a simple hierarchical identity shows how silly it is.
Even if you reduce the scope to one social group it is still hard to make the alpha male model fit. Very few human social groups are that simple.
Also you seem to be using alpha male more as a term to encompass the so called ‘manly’ virtues as opposed to the person(s) at the very top of the social hierarchy. That position (when it exists in some form) can be attained without practicing such virtues.
Don’t worry about it though because hey… I’m just jealous right?
You think I’m silly for thinking that human societies/relationships can’t be reduced down to a simple hierarchical categorization.
I’ll explain further of how what you are saying is wrong so you don’t continue to think that I am simply jealous of the alpha status of alpha males.
Let’s go back to a couple of your statements such as:
“Alpha status is both stressful and sacrificial…but no Beta has ever led a bayonet charge.”
“…and Betas take orders from them.”
Speaking as an Infantryman that statement is garbage. Leadership is facilitating your subordinates to accomplish the joint effort. There are many different leadership styles, techniques and tools. Leadership is largely a series of interconnected and learnable skills.
Anyone who thinks they are a leader not a follower is wrong. If someone doesn’t know how to follow well they don’t know how to lead well. People who feel they should naturally be leaders (or perhaps more accurately said, feel that they shouldn’t be followers) are usually garbage in leadership positions. When they achieve success it is generally through leaching off the efforts and competence of others while contributing little themselves.
None of that is to say that a person can’t prefer to be in charge. But they understand and are able to perform well as a follower.
This is also mostly concerned with the military form of leadership. Emphasis in different skills/areas of leadership may be required in other conditions.
As to the general concept of alpha males it is pretty silly. Given that the average person is involved in multiple social groups (Some of them not particularly inclined to a hierarchical structure) to think that you can somehow reduce a persons social standing to a simple hierarchical identity is silly.
Even if you reduce the scope to one social group it is still hard to make the alpha male model fit. Very few human social groups are that simple.
Also you seem to be using alpha male more as a term to encompass the so called ‘manly’ virtues as opposed to the person(s) at the very top of the social hierarchy. That position (when it exists in some form) can be attained without practicing such virtues.
Don’t worry about it though because hey… I’m just jealous right?
“Nuance” is liberalspeak for taqiyya.
I say it’s spinach, and I say the hell with it.
Interesting.
When exactly was Islam mentioned in this conversation?
Hi, Dr. Helen,
Can’t help but draw parallels to a (happily now defunct) notion about dogs. There was a time when people held an overly simplistic view of wolf pack hierarchies, and then used that framework to try to modify dog behavior. It backfired, because as it turns out these hierarchies are extremely complex, and behaviors we might paint broadly as “alpha” or “beta” have nuances that are as or more important to dogs’ interactions than the more obvious behaviors.
Now I see people doing the same thing — taking science-in-progress on one species and applying very broad-brush conclusions to another species . . . good luck with that. lol
My hunch is that these issues also have a correlation/causation problem. Do people’s bodies exhibit certain bio-chemical profiles because of where they are on the social hierarchy, or do they end up where they are on the social hierarchy because of their bio-chemical profiles? Bet it’s a mix of the two . . .
a hormone in monkey waste means that men ought not compete to win? Good to know Darwinism is giving up its basic tenet- the struggle for survival and dominance.
Why not check that there’s more of everything- more testosterone- more soothing hormones, whatever they are- more digestive enzymes, more bacteria? That’s sort of the point of being on top- more, more, more. Talk about incredibly shoddy “sciencey-ism.”
I’m an Army officer, and I don’t think so. When it comes to physical fitness and overall health, the natural Alphas I meet have the calm self-assurance to forget work for a while and get the exercise and sleep they need (they make good commanders). The natural Betas are more likely to stay up worrying and work through the night, and neglect themselves (they make good staff officers). I’m oversimplifying horribly, but you get the idea.
ACtually, I think Alpha and Beta males are junk terms. Human beings (and probably gorillas too) are a lot more complicated than that. Many of us are Alpha sometimes and Beta others. This is terminology for “social scientists” who are about as scientific as, er, crime novelists.
Applause.
Right. Then there are the so-called “Beta” males who enjoy the benefits associated with Alpha males by being, you know, smarter.
It’s all part of this label fetish thing without which we can’t think; labels allow us to manage our environment and cope with our fears.
DOGS are more complicated than that. Junk terms they are.
I agree. The concepts of “alpha” and “beta” males are better suited for Cosmo magazine than scientific discussion.
Who is more of an Alpha Male? The quiet, modest librarian who raised two daughters … and also received a Bronze Star?
Or the unemployed drug dealer who’s been in and out of prison who dates a new woman every night?
Correct Rodger!
Well,well,well! WHy not behave beta when the situation demands it, and be an alpha also when needs be? But I keep asking myself, is it beneficial to be always on edge becoz you want to support a certain culture? Who wants to stay an alpha male when there is obvious consequences?
Leadership is stressful. Who’d have guessed?
“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”
Like everything else in life, Shakespeare captured it with the perfect quote…
The study was not capable of discerning the difference between true alpha males and beta-pretenders. So, it’s trash. That is all. Now, if you’ll excuse me I just saw Little Red Riding Hood heading into the woods…
wouldnt the big bad wolf, acting solo, be some kind of exile?
I know many Betas who aspire to be Alphas.
I know of no Alphas who aspire to be Betas.
Supply and Demand.
Exactly. Besides which, being alphas makes men happy. I think most would rather live shorter lives full of joy (and steak) than live long lives regretting and mourning the men they could have been.
I’m raising my young men to be alphas to the degree that they can. One is a marine, and knows he is smart and capable enough to do whatever he wants to do when he gets out. His younger brother is considering the Air Force. They both aspire to be like my husband, a successful Navy ctm, and my brother, an Afghanistan vet who brought home a Bronze Star. I am lucky my boys are surrounded with outstanding examples.
In other news, it was demonstrated that “alpha researchers” suffered undue stress when compared to “beta researchers.”
While only comprising 10% of the researcher population, alpha researchers publish over 50% of the peer-reviewed articles and win the majority of Nobel prizes. In addition, they constantly publish mass market books in a wild attempt to gain name recognition and market share.
“Beta researchers”, on the other hand, are content to teach community college classes, do little research and spend a lot of time fishing, boating and renting cabins in the Adirondacks with their families.
Research shows that the “betas” are much happier, have lower levels of cortisol, and eat fresh, stream-caught fish (with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids) more often then their “alpha” counterparts.
Unfortunately, related research has shown that “beta” researchers aren’t interested enough in “alpha” showboating to point out to the alphas that alphas always die young, alone, and with festering boils. Alphas, on the other hand, appeared to be biologically unable to recognize the negative health effects of their own activities.
Like the deconstructivists who constantly write books explaining that communication between two people is basically impossible, alphas write books explaining why being “alpha” isn’t a good idea. In America, the inevitable book chapter excoriating popular non-scientific irrational thinking are generally considered among the finest examples of irony in English literature.
What if your a Alfeta Male….. You know act like a beta but really are an Alfa, just letting the beta’s think that all the good ideas are theirs, so they do your bidding…. sneaky bastards arn’t they
Beta males are socialists. Living and profiting off the work of the alphas. Used to be called mooching, or picking up the scraps. Now it’s apparently honorable.
If you remove the alpha males though, doesn’t that automatically make the betas the alphas?
Every time some damn-fool alpha tells his betas to do something that isn’t going to work, yet the betas have to go ahead and try it anyway just because he’s the alpha, it causes stress believe me. Ask anyone who works in a large corporation, who knows that his job is on the line when the alpha’s ideas don’t work, about his relatively stress-free existence.
dont we need both alpha and beta males? if we had all of one or the other, it would be a disaster.
Assuming there’s a clear divide between alpa and beta (keeps things in tidy little boxes, you know, so the credentialed don’t have to think too much about it) imagine a world in which the accomplishments of countless “alpha males” over eons are dismissed as aggressive, patriarchal and whatever else the thought police want to call them. Then imagine men who create and innovate saying, “Forget it. I’m sick of the abuse” and walking away, leaving society in the hands of self-righteous talkers like the psychologist and her pet boy. Scary thought, but that’s where we’re headed.
“The latest evidence comes from wild baboons…”
Unbelievable.
Baboons KILL other baboons over an errant look, so yeah, they have stress.
Re: the authors. They reminds me of the words of that old philosopher and songwriter Kenny Loggins from the early seventies: “What a fool believes, he(or she)sees. And no wise man has the power to reason away what the fool believes.”
It takes all kinds; alpha, beta, whatever, to make the world go round. Dysfunctional= inability to accept that there is only one path.
OOPS! Obvious correction. Should read Dysfunctional is the inability to accept that there are many paths, not just one approved by certain people.
It reminds me of the Beatitude that “The meek will inherit the earth.”
They will — when everybody else is finished with it.
The bottom line is that assertive, aggressive people rule the earth. Some of them pretend to be otherwise. Passive people will serve, and sometimes direct, them. Machiavelli was right when he wrote that fortune is a woman who favors the bold.
The ideology that pushes the meme that assertiveness and ambition are bad or unhealthy is nothing more than a call for tyranny — since it is almost invariably an assertive person telling *others* that they should be passive.
This is no different than the ideologically-driven “studies” that purport to show bad personality traits in conservatives that we see pop up every four years near election time.
This is just one more voice shouting the meme that people should know their place and subject themselves to their betters.
I agree with Roger, above – humans are complicated – we are not chimps in tightly defined tribes. Nonetheless, I can tell you from personal experience, that when I see a man who exhibits the (stereotypically) negative alpha qualities (being more interested in themselves than others, needing to be on top in a hierarchical struggle, engaging in overt or covert attention-getting behaviors, lack of thoughtfulness or character in dealing with others, propensity towards aggression or needless risk) I steer clear. May have them as a friend, but would not consider them as a mate (nothing to do with children – got kids already).
P.S. – I prefer Omega males (coined the term myself, then googled it and found that others had thought it up too). Those are the guys that stay out of power games altogether, preferring to chart their own path. I’m an Omega female (alpha qualities, but no taste for alpha games), so like seeks like.
I often wonder about the whole “pack” thing. Humans can be members of many “packs”, and behave differently in all of them. I’m quite “alpha” in my “employment” pack, where screwing up my world could wreck the company, but could care less about dominating in parties and the like, and don’t particularly care to be a bigtime room-worker at trade-shows and conferences.
You miss useful information when you discuss Alpha and Beta differences. Alpha and equivalent terms exhibit a demonstrable (empirical) validity. Yes, A and B exhibit variation with social context. Another dimension, however, consists of effects that carry over from one social context to another.
As a practicing (social) scientist, I agree that most ‘social science’ doesn’t warrant serious attention. The present case illustrates one of the most prevalent weaknesses — failure to critically examine the assumptions used to frame research (hence, as Dr Smith notes) myopic and misleading analyses.
Look beyond what captures most media attention, however, and you’ll find much high quality social science research.
I agree with Roger. Is there any scientific basis for applying notions of “alpha” and “beta” to a species that doesn’t run in packs like wolves or baboons? Outside pathological environments such as communes, humans live as individuals, not as members of a collective. A Peter Keating type may view himself primarily in terms of his social status, but a rational, mentally healthy person does not.
It’s terribly stressful nailing all those chicks and having everyone do what you say. A problem most men would love to have. “Health” isn’t everything.
I personally have always felt that a lot of the high power, high prestige jobs (such as President of the US) would be too high stress for me. It’s not something I personally want. That level of stress can and will wear you down and can prematurely age the body. It can and will increase your risk of a lot of health issues, such as heart attack and stroke.
But, there is another side to consider. We can’t always avoid stress. Without resistance, pressure and stress there is no growth. All exercise is at least a little stressful.
It takes an awful lot of pressure to make a diamond. If you want the pride and satisfaction that comes with doing something extraordinary, you have to be willing to make the sacrifices and pay the price. That price is in time, effort, energy and stress. Often, that price is in damage to your personal relationships.
If the point of the article is success has a price and that price can be high, I can only agree. But, if they are saying that it is bad to strive to be the best I must disagree.
At the end of the day the question isn’t about right and wrong. Alpha is not bad or a wrong choice and Beta is not good or a right choice. They are simply different choices, with different rewards and different drawbacks.
It is far to easy for us a human’s to fall into the trap of “good and bad” when neither and both are really accurate. Snap judgments and oversimplification are everywhere and cause great harm.
Of course being an Alpha is better. I’m an Alpha because I’ve won. I’m rich, I have a great wife and family, and I’m ridiculously happy. I win.
Probably the worst thing is forcing alphas into beta roles and vice versa.
You don’t “choose” to be an alpha or a beta, any more than you choose to be gay/straight or left brain/right brain. I suspect it’s harder on you to be something you’re not. I’ve noticed 1). I’ve had to tone down my behaviors as it’s cost me jobs in the past; and 2). as I age and deal with my children, I’m less alpha.
IMHO, the “game” theorists who talk about alphas and betas are mostly training betas to act like alphas. Many of them also have a different definition of “alpha”: The dominant guy in the room may or may not be “alpha”, the guy in the room who sleeps with the most women may or may not be the dominant man in the room.
Thanks for asking the question. I’m certain what you’d call a beta male. I’ve had a relaxed life, but have not advanced as far career-wise given what I know my skills and knowledge to be. I’ve been told to my face I’m too quiet, and that has cost me promotions. In the grander scheme of things, that’s not a big deal, but it has at least three costs:
- Not as much money to sock away for retirement and an inheritance for the kids.
- Not as much money to donate to charities.
- Not as much impact in terms of turning earthly institutions toward good works.
People who ascribe to the “It’s a Wonderful Life” theory that we have impact, no matter how small, may say my list of costs is a little too melancholy. However, given the needs in this fallen world, it would be nice to have been able get in the ring and win a few rounds. It would have been nice, for example, for some alpha males to have worked their way up the ladder at Washington Mutual in time to say no to buying Long Beach Savings and keeping that bank out of the subprime mortgage business. Instead, WAMU, a 100-year-old institution, became the nation’s largest bank to go under and put tens of thousands of people out of work.
I can’t imagine an “Alpha Male” giving a tinker’s damn about whether or not it is healthier to be a Beta.
So what, you wanna live forever? Live well. You only get one shot at it.
I think beta males are probably at a lower risk of STDs.
I don’t think they’re happy about it though.
Love it Roger! That is a common sense, practical take on the issue. Dr. Smith (and her peers) is better equipped to tease out the nuances of when typology helps in the study of the psychology but for us laypeople to freight all kinds of significance onto said descriptions is a mistake.
Also, analogizing or anthropomorphising the animal kingdom for application to human behavior is delicate business too! I think even professionals overdo it sometimes – fair appraisal Dr. Smith?
Roger, stop being so mean to crime novelists!
If we are to play the “people fall into two groups” game, lets counterpoise the alpha/beta categorization with the ant/grasshopper allegory. Maybe what the head-shrinkers see as alpha is mainly just being responsible and proactive. Being someone who worries about risks and threats, and invests blood and treasure in preparation for that, are probably a lot more stressed than the “somebody will take care of me” crowd.
Its fun to bash the various facets of the alpha male stereotype, but when there’s an intruder in the house or the office building is on fire, nobody goes running to a beta screaming “Do Something!!!” There’s a time for comity and consensus, and a time for initiative and action.
Roger,
I do not see any contradiction between concepts of alpha/beta males and your claim that things are complicated. What is wrong with the possibility that X acts as beta male for a while and then gets a promotion? Why is that junk?
Humans are more complicated we don’t have in simple hunter gatherer life styles anymore. Alpha and Beta are relative. There can be only have one alpha.
In Humans you have personality types like type A and type B. There could be ten type A rat racers in Bubba’s shooting club but only one of them can be the alpha.
You might have seven type b mellow fellows in Herny’s Zen center but one of them will be the alpha senshi.
The effects of stress will depend on the actual conditions each person experiences. You would have to see if the person is a type a or type b as well as if they are doing a lot of alpha’ing or beta’ing and what those situations involve. Being Alpha of the zen center might be less stressful than beta type a vice president of enron when it was falling to pieces or a beta prison guard.
Also, rather then studying the effects of being alpha or beta on the individual, they should look at how those individuals effect the people around them. Are murderous dictators, (hitler, stalin, saddam hussein, kadaffy, mao) alpha males / type a rat racers ?????
I struggle with the idea that we so often turn to the atavistic survival skills of our caveman forbearers to explain or justify our behaviors today rather than challenge ourselves to evolve.
Alpha males had a real value when progeneration was the keystone to the survival of the species. I suspect that in today’s world the ability to seduce women and intimidate men has less societal value than the ability to craft a new idea, formulate an algoryth, or be a proactive and caring father (despite the fact that it probably lowers testosterone levels.)
By my lights, the true man is not the one who can beat his chest while jumping from bed to bed, but rather one who can learn to transcend the delusions of the amygdala and use his intellect and reason to evolve as a person to become a better man, better husband, better father.
I think that following a wild baboon around through the steamy malaria-ridden jungles of Kenya and collecting its fecal matter is a perfect job for a psychologist. Writing a book about how their research correlates to male humans sitting in an air-conditioned office…not so much.
I thought this article was utter garbage, beginning with the first two paragraphs highlighting the activities of Byram Korasu that some misguided person evidently thought constituted a strong lead-in.
The Good Doctor K would seem to be engaged in “chronic, remunerative ‘counseling’ services.” He must be related to PT Barnum if he actually thinks anyone would buy the idea that a group of actual alpha males would sit around navel-gazing 52 times a year for 23 years (!!), surely as good a definition as any of malpractice in behavioral medicine, and suffer erectile dysfunction for several consecutive days after trading thinly-veiled insults with the other members of such a group. Whatever kind of poor souls Korasu’s fleecing, the idea that they’re alpha males struck me as highly implausible.
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown”.W.Shakespeare, Henry IV.
“Its good to be the King”. M. Brooks, History of the World Pt. I.
Stipulating for the sake of argument that there are “alpha males” being dominant/in charge all the time can *potentially* be stressful, but it depends on the circumstances, and the individual in question.
I think being an Alpha Male in a primitive society (more like Baboons) is probably incredibly stressful, because all the other males are looking for a chance to literally kill you and take your spot. And in that kind of society, Alpha and Beta really do exist.
In a civilized society, I think it’s more like Roger says – we have a mixture of behaviors that are appropriate for a more complex culture that has rules and expectations meant to make us happier and more productive than primitive tribes murdering each other over everything.
But we still need leadership, we still need Alpha traits. If we denigrate and suppress those traits, I’m afraid we’ll just leave the door open to more brutish societies that still have their Alphas.
I’m ready to rise up, grab the bull by the horns, and yank it down to the earth…
if my wife gives me her permission.
This study defines betas as those just below the alpha. They are really alphas in waiting. What about the far larger number at the bottom of the heap? Also, man is a most collaborative animal that is genetically programmed to pair bond. Desmond Morris, among others, believes that pair bonding enables collaboration by reducing the constant competition for mates. With humans, it is the quality of mate that differs between alphas and betas more than the number of mates. Once settled in a pair bond, we work together to build civilizations and take down big prey.
yeah, nerds aren’t typically alpha males in high school, then they grow up.
This phenomenon was noted among humans in ancient Greece. It’s called the Sword of Damocles. The alphas may be on top, but they must remain ever alert against any beta that thinks he deserves to be the alpha. If your status is coveted and it matters to you, you will be jealous unto paranoia to protect it.
In “nature” alpha males have more offspring while betas suffer from “DSB” – dreaded sperm buildup.
But since having children is so out of fashion, so should being an alpha male, at least according to some cultural mavens.
In fact, aspirants to alpha-dom do take more risks and undergo more stress in their climb to the top. Yet, that aspiration is the source of all cultural, technical, and economic advancement.
So, as for me, I’ll take that risk for the team (aka species.)
Thankfully I’m married to an always-Alpha male but we live in Texas where being an Alpha male is not only still allowed, it’s applauded.
By the way, I’m free to be a much more liberated female because I’m married to an Alpha male. I don’t have to worry about his self-esteem and he isn’t threatened by mine.
Hi, Dr. Helen,
Can’t help but draw parallels to a (happily now defunct) notion about dogs. There was a time when people held an overly simplistic view of wolf pack hierarchies, and then used that framework to try to modify dog behavior. It backfired, because as it turns out these hierarchies are extremely complex, and behaviors we might paint broadly as “alpha” or “beta” have nuances that are as or more important to dogs’ interactions than the more obvious behaviors.
Now I see people doing the same thing — taking science-in-progress on one species and applying very broad-brush conclusions to another species . . . good luck with that. lol
My hunch is that these issues also have a correlation/causation problem. Do people’s bodies exhibit certain bio-chemical profiles because of where they are on the social hierarchy, or do they end up where they are on the social hierarchy because of their bio-chemical profiles? Bet it’s a mix of the two . . .
It’s time to look back at the concept of decision fatigue, recently discussed by the good Doctor.
My wild guess is that alpha males (and females) are stressed only to the extent that they suffer from decision fatigue. If they can cope with decision fatigue, then they have a great time!
(Of course they also have to think about making the good times last: they cannot simply avoid taking decisions. Sun Tzu and Machiavelli simplified this task for human alphas, to some extent.)
I don’t suppose that it’s possible for Beta males to have lesser stress simply because they cannot handle more, and would go “dysfunctional” if they tried.
Gotta agree with Roger here, though I think the “alpha” concept by and large makes sense — there are folks whose constant running “program,” so to speak, seems to be “be the dominant monkey.”
Have seen thousands of these folks in the classroom, so it’s definitely referring to *something.*
Very complicated subject indeed. Assuming the rough definition of a human alpha male is a natural leader, any look at the stress of alpha vs. beta male has to take in context, for example, are we talking about alpha males in the working world, or are we talking about alpha males in a mating/relationship context who regularly “get the girl” compared to the betas who generally have a much harder time?
Of course, the devil is in the definition of alpha. There are other factors that need to be considered as well. It’s important to distinguish, for example, between alpha traits and type A traits. In the context of the business world, (again assuming an alpha is natural leader whom follower-types easily follow) include the tendency to keep their cool during times of stress. Others feel secure with them in the lead in stressful situations, and this reinforces their role as alpha. Type A personalities–because of their ambition and determination–are often found in business leadership roles but don’t command the same respect as an alpha.
Also, human psychology is so much more complicated than with other primates that any study which draws conclusions about human psychology based on baboon observation is practically worthless in my opinion.
A true alpha male doesn’t get stressed from trying to stay on top, they aren’t trying….it’s natural.
This was obviously written by someone envious of alphas…and males.
Being an alpha male delivers an energy all its own.
What’s ‘exhausting’ is a beta male ‘trying hard’ to be an alpha male. It’s exhausting just to watch that!
Look around you – would our civilization and society currently have all it possesses if it were not alpha people willing to push hard for achievement?
Humans are much more collaborative than apes, so alphas are less alpha and betas are more alpha. Humans pair bond to allow for better distribution of mates, enabling high levels of collaboration, hence big animal hunts, civilization, PJM.
This study also focused on the betas who are alphas in waiting – what about the deltas and gammas?
What about the deltas and gammas? Good question. The answer is the same in the animal world as it is in the human world. Who the hell cares? Betas, Gammas, Deltas, Omegas…it’s a fricking fraternity of LOSERS.
You wish, guy, you wish.
A true alpha protects his people. He does not need to sneer at them to make himself seem bigger.
Amen!
LMAO! … Yep those beta baboons have a tough life … no mortgage, no nagging wife, no car note … No wonder they aren’t stressed!
Did they factor in the level of the alpha males’ consumption of Baboone’s Farm Apple Wine?
Alpha children wear grey. They work much harder than we do, because they’re so frightfully clever. I’m awfully glad I’m a Beta, because I don’t work so hard. And then we are much better than the Gammas and Deltas. Gammas are stupid. They all wear green, and Delta children wear khaki. Oh no, I don’t want to play with Delta children. And Epsilons are still worse. They’re too stupid to be able to read or write. Besides they wear black, which is such a beastly color. I’m so glad I’m a Beta.
Excellent literary reference.
Aldous Huxley was the son and brother to biologists so had some appreciation of the facts of life, especially as expressed in England’s caste system.
I question the entire premise of applying the Alpha Male model to humans. We do not live in essentially self-contained herds or prides. If I am a dominant male personality on my block, do I stop being one if I am not the CEO at my place of employment? I agree that we males constantly assess where we stand in “the hierarchy,” but in a modern, complex society our hierarchies are interlinked, overlapping, mutually contradictory and, well, bananas.
Not that I can’t whip all of you.
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
“Citizenship in a Republic,”
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
This topic came up in 2001, in sophisticated society it became OK to be an alpha again because we had an opportunity to experience firsthand what real heroes look like. Just look to our first responders and military men. The conversation has come back up because some of our male leaders have smaller stones than our female leaders. Alphas are willing to take risks and accept the consequences that come with the risk, that is what defines alphas not leadership position. An alpha would say, I made some bad decisions and it is my fault while a beta takes credit for other people’s accomplishments and blames others for failures. Unfortunately very few in government man up to their mistakes until forced to.