What constitutes an alpha male?

me_right_one

Some women are always saying that they are most attracted to "alpha males". What exactly is an alpha male? Is it someone goodlooking or intelligent or funny or what? To my mind, the sergent in this clip is an alpha male.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Nf1MK7lts&feature=related

Am I wrong? And whats a "Beta" male? Someone like Mr.Bean????

Overheal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_(biology)

Link includes Beta and Omega.

The Alpha Male is the leader in a social group. The Beta is the 2nd in command, so to speak: The Alpha's righthand man. The Omega is that nerdy wheezy kid with Acne who's 22 and still plays Sonic the Hedgehog games, but you hang out with him because he's in the course he's nice not too annoying and he doesn't harm nobody.

I could think of a great example of a typical pack but the analogy would only make sense to me and anyone who knew them.

Catari Jaguar

Overheal wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_(biology)

Link includes Beta and Omega.

The Alpha Male is the leader in a social group. The Beta is the 2nd in command, so to speak: The Alpha's righthand man. The Omega is that nerdy wheezy kid with Acne who's 22 and still plays Sonic the Hedgehog games, but you hang out with him because he's in the course he's nice not too annoying and he doesn't harm nobody.

I could think of a great example of a typical pack but the analogy would only make sense to me and anyone who knew them.

In Scrubs, Turk is the Alpha male, Todd is the Beta, and JD is the Omega?

me_right_one

In gender studies, hegemonic masculinity refers to the idea that a culturally normative ideal of male behaviour exists (i.e., that to which men are strongly encouraged to aim), which is calculated to guarantee the dominant position of some men over others, and the subordination of women.[1]URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability"][COLOR=#0000ff]verification needed[/COLOR][/URL According to the theory's proponents, it is not necessarily the most prevalent form of male expression, but rather the most socially endorsed that always contributes to the subordinate position of women they perceive. Proponents point to characteristics such as aggressiveness, strength, drive, ambition, and self-reliance, which they argue are encouraged in males but discouraged in females in contemporary American society, as evidence of the existence of hegemonic masculinity.


Yes, but what exactly is aggressiveness, strenght etc? Hulk Hogan? I just dont get it! I also dont understand that if that really is the persona which women find most attractive, how can someone like Justin Timberlake be so popular with women? He's anything but whats described above. So are every "boy band" in existance!

Yet men who genuinely do have all those characteristics are generally shunned by women. eg Tom Hanks in that film where he's deserted on a desert island and has to fend for himself.

I think its all just fantasy.

I also think its a bit chauvanistic!

me_right_one

Lil Kitten wrote: »

In Scrubs, Turk is the Alpha male, Todd is the Beta, and JD is the Omega?

WHY??????? Please explain.

Catari Jaguar

No, Dr. Cox is the Alpha male. 100% defineitely. He's the leader of the pack, emotionally withdrawn, agressive, confident, everyone looks up to him and he's masculine and works out.

So the Turk is Beta, and JD definitely the weedy little Omega that wants Alpha's respect.

Clint Eastwood is an alpha male too.

me_right_one

Ya see? Already people have different opinions of whos who. I wouldnt have thought there was any alpha male in scrubs!!

Clint Eastwood is a brilliant example! A lot of Irish men outside Dublin are Clint Eastwoods, but we are always just branded as thick culchies! Why? How is Clint Eastwood (who is an actor and just acts like a tough guy) better than a farmer or builder from Westmeath who lives the life everyday, but never gets female attention for his "alpha"-ness?

Catari Jaguar

me_right_one wrote: »

Yes, but what exactly is aggressiveness, strenght etc? Hulk Hogan? I just dont get it! I also dont understand that if that really is the persona which women find most attractive, how can someone like Justin Timberlake be so popular with women? He's anything but whats described above. So are every "boy band" in existance!

Tennage girls and tweens like JT and boybands. Women like men.. heheh REAL men.

Also, Justin has the whole cocky thing going on as well as the smooth moves and good looks.

Overheal

Lil Kitten wrote: »

In Scrubs, Turk is the Alpha male, Todd is the Beta, and JD is the Omega?

More like Cox the Alpha, Kelso the Beta and Doug (timid incompetent intern) the Omega. The others just fall into the pack tbh. While Kelso is politically over Cox, too often falls submissive to Cox. But that really fits the definition of Beta.

Catari Jaguar

me_right_one wrote: »

Ya see? Already people have different opinions of whos who. I wouldnt have thought there was any alpha male in scrubs!!

That was still me, I just realised that although Turk is the alpha male of his gang, Dr. Cox is the alpha male of the hospital. It's probably why him and Turk don't get on well.

If you look up to another male and are envious of him and want his praise or respect then he is probably the alpha male in your gang.

me_right_one

Clint Eastwood is a brilliant example! A lot of Irish men outside Dublin are Clint Eastwoods, but we are always just branded as thick culchies! Why? How is Clint Eastwood (who is an actor and just acts like a tough guy) better than a farmer or builder from Westmeath who lives the life everyday, but never gets female attention for his "alpha"-ness?

Catari Jaguar

I don't think females are really into the alpha male thing as much as men are.
Women go for all types generally, it depends. Yes, the cocksure mentality and ball busting put downs can be attractive but I guarantee most women want a man that is emotionally secure.

It's like saying all men go for the Queen Bee.. They don't, but the queen bee has power over her drones that want to be her.

BumbleB

The alpha male thing is all about respect ,if a guy is looked up to by his peers ,everybody wants to talk to him and whenever he talks people listen also he radiates power. He is a leader of men.Women latch onto this. James Bond (sean connery ) and Mel gibson would be a good example .

Wibbs

Not a personal issue. Moved to humanities

sceptre

Lil Kitten wrote: »

In Scrubs, Turk is the Alpha male, Todd is the Beta, and JD is the Omega?

I know this is driving it wildly off-topic but part of the humour in Scrubs is that they all think they're the alpha male.

In reality they're all afraid of Jordan. Hugh Jackman would be the alpha male (Cox is intimidated by him) but he's not in the series.

Cianos

The 'alpah-ness' of the male depends on the context and group dynamics. The alpha male in one context could be the beta male in a different context. Imagine Justin Timberlake at a Slayer gig for example...not as alpha as he may appear on stage at the MTV music awards. Albert Einstein was alpha at scientific conventions, but maybe not at a sports match.

We are the most finely attuned animals to group dynamics. The intricacies of human interaction are processed by our brains without us being consciously aware of it, and so we are able to reassign the social status of an individual based on context.

In any group there will always be a most dominant person. Generally, the alpha male is the one with the most elevated social status that invokes admiration of ability and group dominance. We have evolved to recognise this so quickly, as when we lived as hunter gatherers an able and fit leader ensures a higher survival rate for the group as a whole. If the leader is unfit, he must be replaced.

Overheal

me_right_one wrote: »

Clint Eastwood is a brilliant example! A lot of Irish men outside Dublin are Clint Eastwoods, but we are always just branded as thick culchies! Why? How is Clint Eastwood (who is an actor and just acts like a tough guy) better than a farmer or builder from Westmeath who lives the life everyday, but never gets female attention for his "alpha"-ness?

I suppose. But you have to be part of a social pack to have a social rank. Clint normally portrays the Loner/Lone Wolf, whom has no social ranking in this particular discussion. However its worth noting as its one of those other positions in animal/human nature that comes up very frequently.

Lil Kitten wrote: »

I don't think females are really into the alpha male thing as much as men are.
Women go for all types generally, it depends. Yes, the cocksure mentality and ball busting put downs can be attractive but I guarantee most women want a man that is emotionally secure.

It's like saying all men go for the Queen Bee.. They don't, but the queen bee has power over her drones that want to be her.

It depends on the female in question I think. In some species the pack/clan/whatever would be lead by an Alpha couple - an Alpha male and Alpha female. So you might see different personalities (Maybe youre an alpha, beta or omega) be attracted to certain other types, or your own type. Some women might go for the ball busters and some women might go with the guy whos comfortable to be in second place, or content with living at the bottom of the social circle. Or maybe theyre after the Clint Eastwood types

(Thx for unlocking, OB!)

Alpha male when it comes to attractiveness is misleading since it suggests there can only be one amongst all the males in the area. Alpha male relates to the degree of confidence, charm, and masculinity that a man can show in himself. Its not the major muscle men, or the men always looking for trouble. Its the male that maintains a balance of all his male aspects.

When it comes to attraction, women are attracted to the alpha male because firstly he appears to be a good mate because he maintains all the strengths of the male sex. Secondly its a man thats capable of not taking the women's manipulation which most men are willing to fall into line for. So its the male who's eyes doesn't drop out of his eyes at a hint of breast, doesn't drool over some bimbo, etc. He's secure in his own confidence/experience of women, and doesn't fall into the general stereotypes that women have for us.

Vin Diesel in Chronicles of Riddock would be a good example of an alpha male. Most women I know go agga at the mention of him, and they're not just talking about his looks.

Ickle Magoo

It depends on which sex you are asking, really. Being considered the alpha male in a group of friends doesn't necessarily guarantee the ladies will think the same & visa versa - even who your standing next to at the time can determine whether you are considered the alpha or not..I don't think certain people walk around & just ARE the alpha male wherever they go.

I think it changes according to age & demographic, too. The alpha male among a group of 13yr olds in South London is not going to be exhibiting the same behaviours that would make an 30yr old alpha male in Dalkey.

Generally speaking for adults I think it involves higher than average and even distribution of intelligence, EQ, success and aesthetics.

Affable

It's not all about big dicks or testosterone. Though guys with big dicks may find it easier to assume the role if that is an issue in their mind. I call it confidence and conceit to make oneself a king, a judge, an arbiter. To think that others need your sentiments bestowed upon them. Not to have someone else forming values or getting them doing things. It's some kind of inner courage, assurance that people respond to.

tolteq

me_right_one wrote: »

Some women are always saying that they are most attracted to "alpha males". What exactly is an alpha male? Is it someone goodlooking or intelligent or funny or what? To my mind, the sergent in this clip is an alpha male.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Nf1MK7lts&feature=related

Am I wrong? And whats a "Beta" male? Someone like Mr.Bean????

man if you know the person who introduce this sh*t flashword-terminology. let me have their address and i'll sort em out. its words like this and celtic tiger, that have every tosser on the band wagon.

the problem with women, is that they figure out what the want, and then they change their mind.