Move over alpha, there’s a new kid on the block- Sigma.
Behold it, a new way to sort our remarkable male species into individuality crippling categories. The sigma male sits within the alpha male ideology, a since de-bunked theory based on an inaccurately performed study. A viral Twitter post recently revived the idea, which kick-started an online conversation and our subject deep dive. A rigid hierarchical system it may be, but nonetheless interesting. Let’s dive in.
The ideology suggests that male humanity is alike to a wolf pack, designed to be led by a controlling and hard-hitting male, AKA, the alpha. The alpha male is said to “lead” the other “beta”, “sigma”, “gamma”, and “omega” personalities. The sigma personality sits secondary on the hierarchical pyramid yet isn’t entirely dissimilar from the alpha’s “leading” character.
Who is the Sigma Male?
The sigma male is the alpha male for introverts – a courageous, controlled, decisive, and assertive human being. The sigma man likes to play by his own rules, ironically defying his placement in the social hierarchy. He is popular despite his careful selection of friends and is prosperous and self-reliant. What differs him from the alpha male is his quieter temperament, self-security, and greater independence. In character, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a great example. That’s the glorified theory anyways.
The socio-sexual hierarchy doesn’t portray these characters in the worst light, but it doesn’t put them in an expansive reality either – boiling down the masculine expression into five sorts. Subsequently limiting the potential of the male species and breeding toxic masculinity.
Where the theory stands today
The theory was based upon a study conducted on wolves living in a captive environment. Already wrong on so many levels. The results from this study were later proven inconsistent with the behaviour of wolves in the wild- verifying the ideology irrelevant. Despite this, the theory remains relevant today and continues to negatively affect the masculine identity. It is no different from binding people to gender or expressing misogynistic and homophobic behaviours.
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