The wolves in the studies that produced an alpha were in captivity with foreign wolves. Meaning that their natural pack social hierarchies didn’t exist. It’s only when a bunch of random wolves are captured together that they act like this.
Which actually makes this a much better metaphor for people who identify themselves as “Alphas”, feeling trapped, lashing out at your neighbours trying desperately to be the one who comes out on top.
Remember what an alpha is ? In video games, it’s the first release, extra rough, not yet full clean of a game. It’s the test version.
So I propose that we call “alpha males” … “the test version”.
The reality is even better:
The wolves in the studies that produced an alpha were in captivity with foreign wolves. Meaning that their natural pack social hierarchies didn’t exist. It’s only when a bunch of random wolves are captured together that they act like this.
Which actually makes this a much better metaphor for people who identify themselves as “Alphas”, feeling trapped, lashing out at your neighbours trying desperately to be the one who comes out on top.
So a prison hierarchy.