Alpha and beta male

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Alpha male and beta male describe a perceived social hierarchy among men, originally derived from concepts in animal ethology. In a human context, an "alpha male" is typically defined as a man who is dominant, assertive, and occupies a high social or professional status, while a "beta male" is characterized as subordinate, less traditionally masculine, and having lower social standing. These terms were actually originally used by biologists to describe dominance hierarchies in social animals like chimpanzees and wolves; their application with regards to human behavior is widely regarded by scientists and experts as a scientific myth or a significant oversimplification. The popularization of these terms in human contexts began in the late 20th century. Primatologist Frans de Waal's 1982 book Chimpanzee Politics suggested parallels between ape and human power structures, which led media outlets in the 1990s to apply "alpha" labels to successful business leaders. The concepts gained further...

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