Alpha Males

As stated in this video, people think of the term “alpha male” as someone who is
dominant, strong and controlling. While this is sometimes the case, I want to cover the
differences between this concept and reality. In the lives of chimpanzees, alpha males
generally share similar traits. Chimpanzee alpha males are usually selected if they are
empathetic, unbiased and consoling. Unlike the human idea that an alpha male has to be
strong and dominant, alpha males don’t need to display physical power as long as they have
the right qualities and the right friends. Chimpanzees also campaign like humans when trying
to gain these positions of power. A male working to become an alpha male will become
generous, he will share his food and play with the infants. He will also show empathy towards
other chimps and console them when they’re in need. Humans display many of these qualities
when trying to gain a position of power such as a presidency. Like chimpanzees, humans
demonstrate generosity and empathy to gain the approval of other people. They will do things
such as hold babies, help people in distress and promise solutions.

More or less unrelated to the video, the idea of alpha wolves has been proven false. People
used to believe that wolves lived in packs governed by the alpha male and alpha female wolf.
Recently, researchers realized that these were family units rather than packs. These units
usually consist of a mating pair of wolves and their children. The wolf mistaken for the “alpha
male” was really the father and the “alpha female” was the mother. I just recently learned this
and thought it was interesting.