Mens Studies: How do men determine who's the alpha male?

Answer 1

The Alpha male is the one who doesn't need a group,but the group needs him.So,they follow.Some men are lead to think they need a group to feel needed.They are the Beta males in absence of a true Alpha male.When a Beta male is beside an Alpha all it feels is how to prop himself without consideration for the Group's best.An Alpha is the best option,but usually Betas ruin the Leadership.Takes a time of maturing for a Beta to realize his own damage.Then becomes Alpha.
The film of Robert Redford with J.Gandolfini "The Last Castle"shows this process in detail.

Answer 2

It is definitely not the loudest most obnoxious man in the crowd that ranks Alpha Male.
Alpha Male is quite a part of my (Italian) culture, and this is my take, from what I've seen.
The Alpha Male is the one who possesses the most power, and dominance gained through the respect of other males, and admiration and submission of the females in his circle.
How the respect is gained differs in different circles...he could be the CEO of the company, a gang leader, a mob boss, the head of the family, he is the most powerful male in his circle.
An example would be Marlon Brando's character in The Godfather...Don Corleone was without a doubt the Alpha Male in his circle.

Edit: Rotf lmao @ the men who seem to have a problem with this concept and wish to sweep it under the rug. (obviously not the Alpha male in your life....ooh....yeah that must hit a sensitive spot) Like I said...it exists to this day in the Italian culture...whether you like it or not... Nidavellir.
It's an unspoken pecking order...and yes we females have our own system.....though ours isn't based on bravado...ours is more a kin to the "mirror mirror on the wall...who's the fairest one of all" concept... we women are always (at some level of consciousness) in competition for the #1 spot as well.
Though I think this question would have been better suited for the psychology category.

Answer 3

I don't think an alpha male has to do necessarily be the physical aspect, but other aspects as well. The alpha male just has this presence or aura to him that gets the attention of others. He has a power, stature, charisma that is hard to ignore, especially from women. There is an dynamic essence, confidence, swagger to him that allows him gain respect and power. He is admired, respected and maybe feared by other men. That's what I would describe as the alpha male.

Answer 4

That depends of what Society he is living in.
An Alpha Society would have as Alpha male an intelligent and sensible male.A Leonardo or Gandhi type.
A brute society would have a Capone or Stalin type.
Which Social Group would advance?
The more human or the more animal?
So far the Alpha countries are those that valued cultivated leaders like Franklin or Sartre.
Progress rely on brain over muscle.Otherwise Gorillas would be the Alpha primates over humans.

Answer 5

alpha male?
ROFLMAO!!

I think that's a rather outdated reference.
The idea of an alpha male does not apply in an all male grouping.

How do women determine who's the alpha female in an all female grouping?
The idea is just as absurd.

Answer 6

Simply put, the one who is fearless. Like others have mentioned, the brawniest guy is often a "paper tiger" who will cower when challenged. And the talkative guy is covering an insecurity with his talking. The alpha male is the one that all the women adore for his confidence and charm, the one other men want to be like. He is the one that talks others out of fights, consoles friends, stands up to a challenge unflinchingly, and has a certain presence about him that is comforting to everyone around him.

Answer 7

The one that is quiet and dignified. The ones that are constantly yapping, and whining about how great men are and how women are trying to take over the world are the pups in the litter. They need to constantly whistle in the dark or prop themselves up with false bravado. They travel in packs but unlike the alpha male have no self confidence and this is very obvious in their spiteful comments and nasty misogynist questions.

Answer 8

that's easy... the alpha male is the loudest, most obnoxious, rudest, drunkest tough-guy of the group, the top banana. however...

the smart guy of the group is the second banana. he becomes the alpha male's right-hand man, so he can influence the alpha male, who in turn influences the group to his way of thinking. this person shares in the rewards, and takes none of the risks. the alpha male is nothing but a paper tiger, but your mom will love him. haha!

Answer 9

There is always someone in the group who is obviously much more adept at leading. As with other pack animals, their is an instinctual desire to work for the good of the group, and this allows the so called leader individuals to assert authority. You could work against them, but its not to your, or anyone elses, benefit.

Moreover, for one to sustain this leadership, one need show their worthiness to lead the group. This could be done through fear, success or fairhandedness. Fear through violence, success through results, and fairhandness through listening to the other members and taking their suggestions into consideration.

Answer 10

Er...

That's difficult for me to say. I think a degree of detachment and confidence are the most important things, though.

(Where I'm at, the "leader" of the group tends to make the others laugh, though.)