What Is an Alpha Male and How Do You Know If You Are One?

An alpha male is part of the male hierarchy, or social construct that groups men into categories based on the Greek alphabet. Alphas are seen as one of the most successful and dominant personality types—they often end up in high-profile leadership positions, easily influence their social group, and climb to the top of any personal or professional hierarchy. But what makes alpha males so special and well-respected? In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about the alpha male, including key traits and how he differs from other male personality types.

Alpha Male Meaning & Key Traits

An alpha male is defined as someone who’s confident, successful, and highly intelligent. He dominates the male socio-sexual hierarchy, so he's often considered the most attractive or “masculine” type of man. Compared to beta and sigma males, alpha males are more extroverted, opinionated, and impatient.

Section 1 of 7:

What is an “alpha male?”

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An alpha male is the most dominant leader in any group. Alphas are often described as “masculine” men at the top of the male socio-sexual hierarchy. They’re highly intelligent, confident, and sexually dominant, serving as the leaders of society. Simply put, alphas aren’t afraid of anything—they know they possess the qualities to attract women, achieve their goals, and advance in their careers.^{[1]
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- Alpha males are often seen as the most “successful” person in a group in terms of the traditional financial and professional hierarchy. They have an ambitious streak, so they’re typically high-earners that seek to climb the ladder at high-profile and even glamorous companies.
- Alpha males also like control, so they tend to gravitate toward leadership roles that give them an air of success and power.
- A true alpha male is committed to becoming the best version of himself, inspiring others to follow his lead.
- Examples of alpha males in pop culture: Alonzo Mosley from Training Day, Tyler Durden from Fight Club, Dutch from Predator, Maximus from Gladiator, and Oskar Schindler from Schindler’s List.

Section 2 of 7:

Key Alpha Male Traits

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Dominant Direct and decisive, alpha males are considered natural-born leaders—they can command any room and influence others easily. They aren’t afraid to say what’s on their mind or confront people when things don’t go their way, and this allows them to take charge in the workplace.^{[2]
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Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living

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- Powerful CEOs, managers, politicians, and military generals often have alpha personalities.
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Confident Alpha males are extremely comfortable with who they are and what they bring to the table. They never back down from a fight and aren’t afraid to ruffle some feathers to achieve their goals. This also causes them to set high expectations for themselves in both their personal and professional lives.^{[3]
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- Alphas know that their words and behavior can influence others, so they always speak and act with purpose.
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Intelligent Through hard work and dedication, alpha males are leaders in their chosen fields. They’re eager to learn about business, technology, and innovation, and they tend to make quick decisions based on data and analytics.^{[4]
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- Alpha males aren’t afraid to take risks because they trust their intellect—they know they can handle any curveball that comes their way.
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Opinionated Alpha males have opinions about everything, and they don’t look to others to inform their views and beliefs. This allows them to stay true to themselves and excel in leadership positions.
- Alpha males tend to think that their taste is superior, even when it comes to mundane things like music and restaurant recommendations.
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Charismatic One of the best traits of an alpha male is his ability to connect with people. Alpha males are incredibly charming and charismatic, helping them befriend others quickly. Their social skills are especially handy when it comes to dating, as they’re known to attract the most romantic partners.^{[5]
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- Many people believe that alphas deliver the best rizz lines and have the most success at picking up women.

Section 3 of 7:

Alpha Males vs Other Types

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Alpha males are dominant, while beta males are shy and reserved. When it comes to male personality types, alpha and beta males couldn’t be more different. Betas are friendly, gentle, selfless, and known to value personal relationships over material success.^{[6]
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Research source} Alphas, on the other hand, are confident, strong, and social men who love to take charge.
While both are considered natural-born leaders, alpha males care more about their social status than sigma males. They thrive in the spotlight and often rely on others to validate their success. Sigmas, on the other hand, are more introspective and self-assured. They’re considered “lone wolves” because they spend a lot of time alone and don’t care what others think of them.^{[7]
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Alpha males are born to lead—they exude confidence, take creative risks, and aren’t afraid to engage in an argument. Gamma males, on the other hand, avoid conflict at all costs. They feel comfortable taking other people’s orders because they have a fear of failure, and this often prevents them from seizing opportunities in their personal and professional lives.^{[8]
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As the leader of the pack, an alpha male loves to feel respected and valued. An omega male, however, doesn’t like thinking in group dynamics—he’s neither a leader nor a follower. He’s more reserved than the alpha male because he goes his own way, and he feels comfortable being himself.^{[9]
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If an alpha male is the CEO, a delta male is the responsible manager below him. He might not be in charge or willing to lead, but he’ll get the job done to the best of his abilities. Deltas are known for their competence and work ethic, and they keep the world moving. Unlike alphas, they don't seek power, recognition, or extrinsic successes.^{[10]
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Alpha males are at the top of the male socio-sexual hierarchy, and they’re proud of their status. Zeta males, however, are nonconformists who don’t follow the rules set by society. They’re confident in who they are and refuse to compromise on their individuality. Since they don’t believe in traditional gender roles, zetas are much more emotionally intelligent than alphas.^{[11]
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Section 4 of 7:

Alpha Male Pros

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Alpha males want to be the best at everything, and their focus, drive, and determination get them far in the workplace. They’re able to set tangible goals for themselves and be more productive than other people.^{[12]
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There’s a reason why the alpha male is considered the ultimate ladies' man—he possesses the social skills to charm anyone he meets! This is a useful skill when it comes to attracting romantic partners and networking with people in the workplace.^{[13]
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Section 5 of 7:

Alpha Male Cons

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Alpha males tend to be stubborn and resistant to feedback. Alphas have strong opinions and leadership skills, but these traits might also cause them to be close-minded and dismissive. They rarely admit that they might be wrong about something, which can create friction in dating and the workplace.^{[14]
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- If you’re an alpha male, learn to compromise every now and then. Don’t automatically shut down someone else’s opinions because you think you’re “smarter” or “more qualified” than them, and ask for feedback whenever it’s possible.
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Alpha males may struggle to maintain healthy relationships. Although alphas tend to be successful in their careers, their intense schedule and assertive personality may interfere with their ability to form positive relationships. They might be too preoccupied with work to prioritize romantic connections in their personal lives, and their colleagues may be scared to suggest new ideas or bring up grievances in the workplace.^{[15]
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- If you’re an alpha male, work on actively listening to others. Maintain a better work-life balance to avoid burnout and give yourself more opportunities to meet people.

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Do women prefer alpha males?

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Generally, women are attracted to men who are both assertive and kind. According to expert dating coach Lisa Shield, “many women want an alpha male.” But not all! Research shows that the “ideal” man is someone who is confident, assertive, easygoing, and sensitive—without being demanding, dominant, aggressive, quiet, shy, or submissive.^{[16]
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Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living

Go to source} A man who is genuinely kind and passionate is highly desirable for both short-term affairs and long-term relationships, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re not considered an “alpha male.”
- But it can be difficult for some types of women to make a relationship with an alpha male work, even if that’s what they want. “A healthy alpha male is looking for a woman who’s very much in touch with her feminine side,” says Shield. “She can let him take the lead and not have a bunch of power struggles, which isn’t going to work out.”
- Alpha men “want women who have strong boundaries and know who they are but who…also really understand men with where their boundaries are,” observes Shield.
- Ultimately, both men and women are attracted to partners for a variety of reasons, and being your authentic self is the foundation for a healthy relationship. Hierarchical thinking contributes to the harmful idea that someone’s worth and social status should be determined by their masculinity. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, so don’t obsess over a made-up hierarchy.

Section 7 of 7:

Male Personality Type Origins & Discussion

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Male personality types gained popularity in the manosphere in the 1990s. Alpha, beta, gamma, omega, sigma, and zeta males are pseudoscientific terms that are based on early studies of wolf packs, where one dominant wolf stood out as the pack leader. The initial studies on “alpha wolves” were later debunked because they were based on wolves held in captivity, not in the wild. However, the idea of “alpha” and “beta” males continued to gain traction on websites and forums focused on men’s issues and self-improvement.^{[17]
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- The idea of male personality types is especially popular in far-right spaces, and some people feel it’s used to push what they deem to be regressive views.
- Men often use the 7 male personality types to rank themselves based on social dominance and attractiveness to women. Although it’s easy to describe yourself as a “type,” male personality types are not based in science and can be detrimental to your health in the long run.^{[18]
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The male hierarchy doesn’t reflect all the complexities of gender. While some people view the 7 male personality types as a rigid structure, it doesn’t reflect real life. The most “attractive” male is a blend of characteristics, and it’s totally normal not to fit the description of a specific personality type. Instead, reflect on who you are as an individual and work on becoming the best version of yourself—it will help you create the most satisfying life in the long run.^{[19]
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Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living

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- When you focus on being kind to others and embracing your authentic self, you might find greater success in your personal and professional life!
- Aim to develop your skills and build a stable sense of identity. If you feel like a passive person, for example, you could work on speaking up or establishing boundaries.

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The term “alpha male” was first documented in the 1930s. However, media outlets began using it as a word to describe masculine men in the early 1990s.^{[20]
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