Tag Archives: alpha males

The ‘alpha male’ myth, debunked | Frans de Waal

Big Think Jun 21, 2023 Primatologist Frans de Waal inadvertently popularized the term ‘alpha male.’ Now, he’s debunking common stereotypes to explain what an ‘alpha male’ really is – empathetic and protective. Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ►    / @bigthink   Up next, Berkeley professor explains gender theory ►    • Berkeley professo…   All social animals establish hierarchies, but being an “alpha male” is not merely about strength or intimidation, according to primatologist Frans de Waal. An alpha male can often be a figure admired for empathy and protectiveness. De Waal criticizes the misconception of the term as synonymous with a bully. He further explores the concept of gender, arguing its flexibility and highlighting the existence of significant individual variability in behavior among primates. De Waal emphasizes empathy as a key factor in social cohesion, suggesting it might hint at morality among primates. Despite our advancements, he believes humans are fundamentally similar to primates emotionally and socially. 0:00 What is an alpha male? 1:25 ‘Chimpanzee Politics’ and the 1980s cultural fervor 2:20 The alpha male is not a personality type 3:34 Sex & gender: Donna the chimp 5:38 We’re apes with technology and college degrees