Pyropyro
Magos Biologis
While searching for dog websites, I came to some sites that busts the Alpha male myth. Basically, the real wolf pack alphas are the actual fathers and mothers of the pack and the betas as doting sisters and brothers.
The unfortunate alpha myth was created when researchers tried to study wolf behavior. They trapped unrelated wolves and set them in a cage. Naturally, the scared and confused wolves made the classic hierarchy we know today. I think the study is like using the Standford Prison Experiment as the entirety of the American Civilization.
Now should the alpha traits be abandoned? No. During peacetime it should still be there but at more socially acceptable levels. Problems during peace tend to be long-term and subdued so a more controlled type of aggression is more effective to deal with them. However during calamities, it is easier to drop some social mores and be a bit more aggressive. Our monkey and lizard brains are more active during stressful times and might be more receptive to barking orders.
TLDR: Alpha traits are needed when society is under duress. However, during peace time, you can safely categorize people overexhibiting them as assholes instead.
The unfortunate alpha myth was created when researchers tried to study wolf behavior. They trapped unrelated wolves and set them in a cage. Naturally, the scared and confused wolves made the classic hierarchy we know today. I think the study is like using the Standford Prison Experiment as the entirety of the American Civilization.
Now should the alpha traits be abandoned? No. During peacetime it should still be there but at more socially acceptable levels. Problems during peace tend to be long-term and subdued so a more controlled type of aggression is more effective to deal with them. However during calamities, it is easier to drop some social mores and be a bit more aggressive. Our monkey and lizard brains are more active during stressful times and might be more receptive to barking orders.
TLDR: Alpha traits are needed when society is under duress. However, during peace time, you can safely categorize people overexhibiting them as assholes instead.