There are a total of six different male personality types, and each of these types can be used to explain why different men act the way that they do.
The first of these personalities is the alpha male. Alphas are driven. If you’re an alpha, it’s likely you’re good at setting your life goals. You know exactly what you want in life and you’re willing to work hard to get it, pushing you to become better than everyone else.
On the other hand, betas are much more lax and easygoing. As a beta, you’re less inclined to strive for the top and you’re more content with making friends and helping others achieve their own goals.
There are four other types of male personalities, each with unique traits, strengths, and weaknesses. If you’re keen on learning about the six male personality types, then read on!
Origins of the Six Male Personality Types
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The six male personality types come from the socio-sexual hierarchy created by the alt-right and fiction writer Theodore Robert Beale, who uses the pseudonym Vox Day. According to Day, there are six types of men in society — five of which fall under a pyramid known as the socio-sexual hierarchy. Alphas, betas, deltas, gammas, and omegas all exist within a safe societal structure, with the alphas on top. Sigmas, on the other hand, exist outside of the structure but are considered to be on par with alphas.
A man’s position in the structure can be measured by their ability to attract women. Alphas and sigmas can be considered equal because both are considered incredibly desirable by women. Day, an alt-right writer himself, created his framework around the concept of the wolf pack — specifically how the more assertive and aggressive alphas lead them.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the theory that Day had constructed his socio-sexual hierarchy from has since been disproved. Because of this, the credibility of the six male personality types remains questionable. Still, these categories are widely used in specific circles and groups such as incels and the alt-right.
Alphas and Betas: Misconceptions in the Wolf Pack
Day had built the six male personality types out of the belief that there were dominant alpha wolves and submissive beta wolves who followed their alphas. As it turns out, wolf packs in the wild aren’t actually led by alphas. Alpha wolves don’t exist, and no wolves are born to lead. Similarly, no wolves were born to follow. Innate ranks and hierarchies have been disproved in wolf packs.
Wolves don’t compete with one another to lead the pack by fighting or engaging in contests, much like Day suggests men do. Instead, the wolves in charge of their own packs became leaders by mating and producing pups. These pups would then grow up to become members of their pack. Leaders of the pack didn’t become leaders by fighting and asserting their dominance.
Leaders are instead the wolves capable of breeding and producing the most offspring. While some wolves eventually split off to form their own packs, many choose to stay and remain with their parents. While the concept of alpha wolves lingers to this day, they have since been scientifically disproven. Now, they only exist in media.
The Six Male Personality Types
There are six types of male personalities within Day’s socio-sexual hierarchy. The first of these is the alpha.
The Alpha Male Personality
One could liken alpha males to the leaders of the pack. They are the ones who take charge of the group, imposing their will with their commanding presence. Alphas play the roles of leaders. They set the status quo and generally do as they please. Because of this, they make the most money, have the most power, and date the most women.
Alphas are tenacious and always strive to be on top, making them confident and charming in their own right. This confidence inspires their comrades around them, making them highly charismatic and magnetic, not to mention completely and utterly irresistible to women. They are passionate and naturally attention-drawing.
An example of an alpha male in a work of fiction includes characters like Maverick from Top Gun. Played by the renowned action movie star Tom Cruise, Maverick is an ace pilot with a cocky streak. He’s determined and confident in every move, willing to stand his ground and maintain his stance; especially since he knows that he’s right.
The Beta Male Personality
Beta males are submissive, friendly, and loyal than their more aggressive counterparts. In a sense, beta males can be seen as the “lieutenants” of the alpha. Betas aren’t leaders, but that doesn’t make them any less competent. They help execute the alpha’s will and typically avoid needless conflict with him and each other.
Because of this, their peers see that as reserved but trustworthy. Their friendliness and ability to be accommodating are what distinguish them from alphas. Since betas aren’t aggressive and don’t particularly care about competition, they can be easygoing but ultimately unambitious.
While alphas strive to be leaders and respected by everyone, betas aren’t deterred by what other people think of them. They’re generally more open to communicating since, unlike alphas, they can take no for an answer.
The Delta Male Personality
Making up the bulk of the male population, delta males are the backbone of society. Because of this, they don’t take the spotlight or try to stand out. They’re content with doing their jobs and living their lives without trying to take charge. Much like alphas, betas, and gammas, delta males operate within the stability of society — a stark contrast to the sigma males that choose to follow their own rules.
Arguably, deltas are the most important component of society because in a very real way, deltas are society. Alphas need the approval of those they wish to lead, which means alphas will need to be appealing to the general public.
Generally, deltas can be seen as all-rounders with strong work ethics as they are what keeps society running. Despite this, their aversion to the spotlight means they don’t get a lot of attention. Even though they may find love and make several genuine friendships, they have difficulty expressing themselves because they don’t get many windows to open up.
The Gamma Male Personality
Gammas can be described as “matured alphas”. Many alpha males become gamma males later on in life. Once they’ve had enough of being leaders and striving for number one, alphas opt for a more adventurous and fun-loving life. Gammas get restless often. This becomes apparent if they don’t have anything to do for too long. This means they need constant stimulation and entertainment, and they’re not above going out of their way to get it.
One of the key distinguishing characteristics of a gamma male is how they are sensitive to the needs and natures of others. This is especially true for gammas towards women. Empathy is one of the gamma’s greatest abilities, which makes them good support systems for others. By understanding other people and what they’re going through, they can provide guidance and support backed by years of experience.
In a way, gammas are a combination of every single male personality type. They take the initiative much like alpha males, play well with others like beta males, work hard like delta males, and prioritize their own needs like omega and sigma males.
The Omega Male Personality
In most cases, omegas would prefer to avoid the status quo, opting not to associate themselves with any groups or adhere to general conventions. Omegas dislike being put into positions of leadership. They typically don’t have a lot of friends and aren’t as confident and as assertive as alphas.
What makes omegas unique, however, is their complete lack of care over societal structures, norms, and standards. What’s “popular” and expected of them in society might not take top priority. Omegas are self-assured and are very content with pursuing their own goals, hobbies, and interests regardless of society’s perceptions. As a result, it’s very easy for them to end up becoming outcasts, shunned for their inability or their refusal to conform to the norm.
It’s very easy to think of omega males as the opposite of the alpha male. Instead of asking for help or working with a team, they would rather do things themselves. Despite this, they possess high levels of intelligence and independence. They focus on doing what they want to do, driven by passion or necessity rather than the reward. Omegas don’t require validation and approval from others. This means that many end up alone, or with others who share the sentiment.
The Sigma Male Personality
Described as “lone wolves”, sigma males exist outside of the “pack” and choose to live a life away from society and its norms. These men are similar to omegas in the sense that they are independent and self-reliant, however, they are significantly more driven and goal-oriented. What distinguishes the sigma male from the alpha male is their cunningness and ability to persuade or manipulate people in order to achieve their goals.
Because of this, sigmas are charming and likable — especially to those who don’t realize that they can be manipulative. Calm and calculating, sigmas are deliberate with everything they do, rarely lowering their guard and careful with their words and actions. Sigmas also don’t feel the need to compete and strive for power and success. Society doesn’t decide when sigma is successful. That’s not up to them. Instead, success is defined by a sigma’s ability to achieve his own personal goals.
Sigma males don’t need company to enjoy themselves, though that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t dislike having company either. You don’t need the validation and approval of others when you’re perfectly content with being yourself, after all. Because of this, sigmas can comfortably drift from one social group to another without having to adapt and adjust to their whims and dynamics.
The Six Male Personality Types: What Do They All Mean?
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In a nutshell, the socio sexual hierarchy ranks men based on their supposed desirability. According to Day, a man’s worth within this hierarchy can be measured by how well they can attract and have sex with women. At the top of this hierarchy are the alphas and the sigmas. The latter, however, chooses to exist “outside” of the structure by choice. This doesn’t change the fact that sigma males are considered a part of the structure anyway.
The theory on alpha wolves has already been disproved. Alpha wolves do not exist. Despite this, men from all over the globe still use Day’s six personality types as a framework for categorizing men. The six male personality types, and by extension the entire socio-sexual hierarchy, is most popular with people like men’s right activists, pickup artists, and “incels” —involuntary celibates.
Nowadays, these six male personality types serve as guidelines on how men can perceive and handle each other based on the archetypes their personalities adhere to.
One of the most common criticisms behind this viewpoint is how it heavily emphasizes the concept of masculinity; all while simultaneously redefining it as one’s ability to impose their will on others, make the most money, and have sex with the highest number of women.
However, it’s also important to remember that the socio-sexual hierarchy exists to help you gauge how other men will react to one another in both social and business settings. In a sense, it’s a means of categorizing people to improve your understanding of them, guiding how you should approach and interact with each archetype.
Which Archetype Are You?
You may be an alpha keen on becoming number one, taking command, and asserting yourself. You could also be a beta who’s content with letting others take the spotlight. You’re likely more focused on having a fun yet stable life.
Maybe you’re a delta looking to get by or a gamma who knows how to enjoy life to the fullest. It’s also possible you’re none of these. You could be be a sigma or an omega who’s content with going at his own pace. There’s no harm in pursuing your own interests every once in a while regardless of what society demands from you.
You might not even relate to any of them. At the end of the day, whether or not you believe in the socio-sexual hierarchy — and by extension, the six male personality types — is entirely up to you.
