Delta males, the third of the six male personality types, are generally perceived as the average joes of society. To some, this might sound like a bad thing. However, to many others, being average isn’t so bad. In fact, being average comes with a lot of perks that might not be obvious at first glance. If you’re keen on learning more about delta males, then read on!
What is a Delta Male?
Found in the middle of the supposed male hierarchy, delta males can be described as “laymen.” In society, these men prefer not to lead or compete with one another for power, money, and status. In a more social environment, such as a group of friends, a delta is a man who’s more willing to go with the flow than someone who wants to call the shots. They are typically introverted or reserved.
While some might see being “average” as a weakness, this is actually one of delta males’ greatest strengths. When it comes to matters of consistency and stability in the professional environment, deltas are unparalleled. Deltas get the job done. They are on time and efficient, and you can always depend on them. Society values deltas so much because of their reliability.
Because of this, you’ll often find delta males taking great pride in their work. What makes deltas unique from the other male archetypes is how they don’t draw happiness or validity from being praised by their superiors and underlings or being the best in their respective fields. Instead, deltas draw satisfaction and happiness from getting the job done. Work, in itself, provides them with a sense of accomplishment, and because of this, they are easily content.
Contentment defines deltas, as many of them don’t feel the need to compete with one another for a raise. To some, it might sound defeatist to stay in your lane without ever fighting for a better position. In truth, many deltas prefer the stability of “average” jobs. Because deltas are so content, they are rarely insecure, and this is what makes them happy.
Bear in mind that all of this doesn’t make a delta a pushover. Just because a delta male is okay with letting other people call the shots doesn’t mean they’re the sort who are willing to mindlessly agree with everything you say.
Since deltas are so average, they make up the bulk of society. They are the people that leaders such as alphas require the approval of. They have no interest in appealing to alphas, for they know that alphas must instead appeal to them. Delta males generally value leaders who can maintain a strong, stable hierarchy where leaders exist to serve the people, rather than the other way around. If an alpha cannot provide for his people, then the deltas will simply choose another person as their leader.
Because of this, you could argue that deltas, as the “everyday men”, are society itself. They are the backbone that gives the hierarchy meaning.
Is it Bad to be a Delta Male? Common Delta Male Misconceptions
While some people might argue that being an “average guy” is a bad thing, there’s nothing wrong with being average. In fact, a delta male very well could have once been an alpha. However, due to some incident or important decision, he has either stepped down or fallen from atop the ladder.
Deltas Are Unhappy
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What makes delta males “delta” is their overt lack of ambition — their unwillingness or inability to move past their station. Ultimately, this has nothing to do with one’s happiness.
You could argue that they lack the drive to improve their own lives, settling for mediocrity even if they are fully capable of achieving so much more. This can be bad, but if he is contented in life and sees no reason to strive for more, then he isn’t harming anyone.
Being unambitious definitely has its disadvantages, but if a delta feels it isn’t worth stress and unhappiness, who can blame him? He might be unable to advance professionally if he chooses to remain a delta male. But if he’s willing to accept that, then by all means, let him.
Deltas Are Not Respected
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There are many delta males who don’t receive as much admiration and respect as their peers. When you see someone who lacks ambition or the drive to improve his own life, you’re either met with indifference or pity. You see a man who you know can do so much better, but chooses not to. Because of this, many deltas get a bad reputation.
However, most people respect deltas, and by extension the average joe because of how necessary they are in society. Average men are needed for average jobs, making up the bulk of the workforce. Any leader worth their salt knows that they’re only as effective as their ability to lead their subordinates. Because of this, alphas must appeal to the deltas in order to keep productivity high.
Deltas are the most important part of any society because, after all, they are society. Even if they don’t take the spotlight or vie for power in the same way that alphas do, they are well-respected because society would crumble without them.
Deltas Never Find Love
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Let’s face it: a lack of ambition is unattractive. People are meant to be dynamic — constantly changing and learning new things as they strive to better themselves. In most cases, delta males don’t change or grow. Sometimes it’s because they’re unwilling to leave their comfort zones. Other times, they try and fail to move up and down the social hierarchy.
However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t find love. Average or not, people are still people. This means their individual traits and characteristics are more than enough to win someone over eventually. Delta males might not be considered as attractive as the alpha male, the beta male, or the sigma male, but there’s no stopping them from meeting people and starting families.
In fact, there are some people out there who actually prefer delta males. Settling down with someone average is safe. For many, it’s safer than settling down with someone who’s always hungry for more. There’s security in dating a man who’s content with himself and his place in the world. Constantly being comfortable is precisely what gives delta males their own brand of confidence, and confidence is attractive.
Delta Male Traits: Strengths
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One of the delta’s distinguishing characteristics is how they are competent and reliable. As the average man, they are the jacks-of-all-trades with strong work ethics. This means they are flexible and can work well in just about any position in society. More often than not, the deltas are the men who work as teachers, factory workers, or retail workers. Generally, deltas fill any role that doesn’t put them in a position of leadership.
Delta males show up to work on time and do what’s required of them. They keep society productive and constantly moving forward. Because of this, they determine the overall effectiveness of businesses, organizations, projects, and other operations. In order to keep this productivity high, the deltas under an organization’s wing must be content and appeased.
Another key strength of the deltas is how their being average is precisely what makes them happy. Alphas, betas, and sigmas generally push themselves to the point of exhaustion. Deltas, on the other hand, are content with their place in society and see no need to vie for a better life. This means they’re generally more fulfilled and free from stress. This makes them happier overall.
In summary, deltas are…
- …competent and dependable, always getting the job done.
- …important in society.
- …content with their fulfilling and stress-free lives.
Delta Male Traits: Weaknesses
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With the delta’s strong suits out of the way, it’s time to dive into some of their flaws. One prominent problem deltas have is how easy it is for them to get complacent. Deltas seldom leave their comfort zones, and this makes it difficult for them to find opportunities to grow as people. As a result, they’re prone to letting themselves go.
It’s not uncommon to hear about delta males neglecting to watch their weight, or stopping exercise entirely. In most cases, people are supposed to constantly learn and develop new skills. Deltas plateau early in favor of living comfortable yet monotonous lives.
Because of their complacency, deltas are more likely to lash out or respond to minor inconveniences poorly. Without challenges and the need to adapt, anything that disrupts their easygoing lives is enough to sour their moods. This makes them resentful and foul-tempered, angry at life when things don’t go their way — something that can affect their interpersonal relationships.
Many deltas lose friends, partners, and even spouses because of their stagnancy. Among the ones who do, this only makes them feel more victimized. However, this isn’t true for all deltas, many end up developing victim mentalities where they blame others instead of themselves for their shortcomings. Finding excuses for them is easy. Many lack the motivation and creativity necessary to solve problems themselves.
In summary, deltas can…
- …get too complacent and forget to grow as individuals.
- …become resentful and foul-tempered when the going gets tough.
- …end up developing self-sabotaging tendencies and victim mentalities.
Dating a Delta: Why Do Women Prefer Delta Males?
Believe it or not, there are a lot of perks that come with dating an “average” guy. Being average means being grounded, and being grounded can manifest in many different ways.
For instance, a delta male is more likely to avoid the spotlight. Being a part of a crowd or having the attention on him doesn’t matter all that much. Another perk that comes with dating a delta is their stability, both financially and romantically. One of the dating advice for men includes valuing affection and intimacy which the delta male most likely exhibits more than other men. Dating a delta, you’ll know that he is less likely to take your love for granted.
He Avoids the Spotlight
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What’s interesting about deltas is that they take pride in their competence and ability to get work done, however, they aren’t too fond of receiving a lot of attention. It’s rare for a delta to take the spotlight, but it’s just as rare to find a delta who craves it. Delta males like doing good and meaningful work, and since they’re good at their jobs, it’s easy for them to find a lot of satisfaction in it. Many women gravitate towards delta males because unlike several other men, they are content with their lives and it shows.
Because deltas feel fulfilled enough as is, they carry their own kind of confidence that distinguishes them from the other personality types. Their sense of satisfaction comes from themselves rather than beating competitors or making their friends and superiors happy. In this day and age, the desire for contentment becomes more and more important — and there’s nobody more content than a delta.
He Doesn’t Care if He Belongs to the Crowd
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Deltas don’t care for impressing other people, and they definitely don’t look for approval. This alone is what distinguishes a delta from alphas and betas. Alpha males are natural leaders, which makes them constantly crave the attention and admiration of their peers. Beta males work to appease their alphas. They enjoy in being praised and having their efforts recognized. Deltas differ greatly in how they find joy in simply doing their work, so long as they feel they’re making concrete contributions to their job.
Because of this, it doesn’t affect a delta all that much if he’s with a crowd that likes him or not. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to get along with others, or that he doesn’t have friends. Deltas can still be team players and they can still be friendly. All this means is the delta knows that the world doesn’t revolve around him, nor does it revolve around any individual.
A delta is less likely to try and make himself the center of attention in a circle of friends. He’s far more content with listening and supporting others. This means that more assertive women might prefer to find a delta partner. They’re far less likely to butt heads and talk over one another if one is more willing to listen than the other.
He is Stable and Won’t Prioritize His Career Over You
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Most delta males aren’t the type of men who strive to be the best in their respective fields. They won’t vie for promotions, and they won’t overwork themselves to the point of exhaustion. Because of this, they’ll always return home on time and they’ll never put their work before you. If you find yourself dating a delta male, you can always rely on him to be there for you.
One benefit to this is delta males can be relied on to get the job done. You won’t find unemployed deltas very often, which means their income will be stable. When it comes to raising a family, stability is paramount — especially when it comes to having access to food, shelter, and education for your child.
He Values Your Love Above All Else
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As average joes, delta males seldom get the time of day from anyone romantically. In the rare instances that they do, they’re more likely to value those they love than other types of men like alphas and sigmas. This is doubly true for those who do reciprocate their feelings. Delta males value love just as much, if not more than the other male personality types.
Though many delta males may seem aloof or act disinterested, most if not all deltas desire love. It’s unlikely that they’ll find it on their own, however, as their attachment to comfort and inability to escape their comfort zones means they’re less likely to put themselves out there. A delta male could be too anxious or too self-absorbed to pursue anyone romantically, and this could lead to a decline in their self-esteem.
This could potentially spiral out and become an even bigger problem. A delta could end up growing bitter and resentful over the fact that they’ve had little to no romantic success. As pathetic and unattractive as this sounds, it’s a sad reality that many men feel this way. If push comes to shove, this very resentment could lead to a delta being rejected even further. It’s a vicious cycle that gradually makes a man uglier and unlovable.
A delta male must work harder to become someone worthy of love to begin with. There’s someone for everyone out there in the great big world. All a delta has to do is open up, ready himself to leave his comfort zone, and start looking for people.
Do you want to know your attachment style in dating? Read The Four Attachment Styles in Relationships.
Deltas vs. the Five Other Male Archetypes
Deltas are only one of the six male archetypes. While there are many overlaps in terms of specific traits between deltas and other personality types, it’s also important to remember that each of these types are unique.
Alphas take control and compete with one another for dominance. Betas live to serve and play the role of leader while working as subordinates under their alphas.
Deltas exist below betas and make up the bulk of society, content with their position and never aspiring for more. Gammas are much like deltas, only they’re generally less accepted in society because they’re more prone to doing what they want.
Omegas, much like gammas, exist in the lower rungs of the social ladder because they prioritize their own happiness and comfort over society. Sigmas exist outside the hierarchy altogether—doing so out of choice while simultaneously aspiring for financial and sexual success.
Listed below are the key differences between each of the male personality types compared to deltas.
Delta Male vs. Alpha Male
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Leadership isn’t for everyone. In most cases, it’s a lot easier for people to just go with the flow. Take the alpha male and the delta male, for instance. Alpha males are competitive, making them different from the more lax delta male.
While it might sound nice, being the leader of a team and being “number one”, there are a lot of complications that come with the position. For starters, being at the top means having to contend and compete with others to maintain your position in society. You’ll also have to deal with the pressure of managing several subordinates, all of which require your guidance and leadership to do their job.
These are all complications that the delta male recognizes. A delta would greatly prefer to be a man who follows orders rather than one who gives them out. Most deltas don’t care for leadership. Instead, they just want to do their jobs and go home, living a stable and secure life with little to no room for added pressure and responsibility.
As mentioned previously, it’s worth raising the fact that several delta males were once alpha males. What makes deltas so broad is how anyone can wind up as a delta whether they choose to be or not.
Alphas could have grown tired or disillusioned by being one of the “top dogs” and decided to live a more lax and easygoing lifestyle. Similarly, maybe an alpha could have undergone a traumatic experience or immense hardship which brought him down a few runs in the hierarchy. It’s even possible for someone with good education and the right connections to wind up as a delta male simply because the lifestyle suits him more.
There are a few instances where the reverse is true, but it’s not impossible. Deltas can grow bored of their lives and realize their true potential. They could one day decide to use their experience and competence to show others the ropes. After all, nobody knows their jobs better than a delta, so why not use that familiarity to further his career?
Ultimately, alphas and deltas might not have anything in common, but it’s not impossible for one to end up as the other.
Delta Male vs. Beta Male
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What defines both betas and deltas is their extraordinary humility. The beta male and the delta male have a few traits in common, such as how the two tend to dislike being the center of attention.
There are ways to differentiate them. Betas choose to avoid the spotlight. Even though they can be found in leadership positions or in a position where they are beloved by their peers, they prefer to keep to themselves. The delta seldom becomes the center of attention regardless of whether he wants to be or not. This is because of how average they are.
Beta males are generally subordinate to alpha males, seeking their approval or constantly wanting to be within the same social circles as their leaders. Betas shy away from sharing too many details or speaking too much. Instead, they let their alphas dictate the conversation and nod along.
Though deltas and betas share some similarities, this is another trait that deltas do not possess. To a delta, it’s irrelevant who he spends time with. Deltas blend in, and that’s all they really want to do. Betas and deltas share that introversion.
Delta Male vs. Gamma Male
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Among the six male personality types, the delta male and the gamma male have the most traits in common. Being somewhere along the middle of the hierarchy, deltas and gammas aren’t the sort of people who gravitate towards positions of leadership. Instead, they’re laymen who work under the wing of alphas, betas, and sigmas.
Likewise, many deltas and gammas were likely once alphas or betas who have since descended the hierarchy for a multitude of reasons. They could have experienced a traumatic event that demotivated them from striving for greater heights. They could have simply felt disillusioned by society and stepped down from their positions of leadership. Though their circumstances may be similar, the two are vastly different.
Delta males are known for their groundedness and commitment to their job, whereas gammas are more prone to doing what they want. Gammas bore easily and don’t take pleasure in stability. Following a schedule and performing the same routine repeatedly might sound appealing to deltas, but this is a gamma’s worst nightmare.
Still, there’s no denying that the two are similar — especially when it comes to work. Deltas are known for their competence in numerous fields, whereas gammas are known for their intelligence. When it comes to niche areas in the workplace or specific knowledge, gammas are unparalleled. This means that, under the right conditions, gammas and deltas can be invaluable in a professional environment.
Delta Male vs Omega Male
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While deltas are reliable jacks-of-all-trades and actively contribute to the workforce, omegas can be described as “the odd ones out”. Omega males have the tendency to ignore or outright reject social norms and values. This is a far cry from the deltas, who are perceived as average joes due to their adherence to society and its rules.
Despite their differences, the two do possess some similarities. Neither deltas nor omegas are competitive, nor do they push themselves out of their comfort zones. Omegas, however, are a little more self-assured and independent than deltas are. Even though both deltas and omegas don’t need the approval of a crowd, deltas still stick to the status quo. Omegas, like gammas, draw satisfaction from achieving their own personal goals. This can make them look self-centered at times, which is something a delta can never relate to.
However, the key trait that distinguishes deltas and sigmas is their work ethic. Deltas are hard-working and care deeply about the social structure, but omegas are more lax. Omegas prioritize their own needs and interests over their contributions to society. While this occasionally works against their favor, causing them to become social rejects and seen as “weird,” they are generally happy in the same way that deltas are happy.
Delta Male vs Sigma Male
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Last but not least are the comparisons and differences between delta males and sigma males. The sigma male is the antithesis to the delta male. While the delta prefers to play by society’s rules without having much ambition on their own, the sigma exists outside the social structure. This doesn’t necessarily make them unambitious, however, for they instead achieve their own goals through their own means. Sigmas play by nobody’s rules but their own.
Sigma males are also career-driven and have ambitions on par with, if not greater than alpha males. Sigmas use any means at their disposal to get what they want, and this includes manipulation. They are cunning and calculating, which is a far cry from the content and laid-back delta.
One explanation behind this difference is how deltas rely on stability. The norms, values, and rules upheld by society is what create the framework in which the delta operates. Still, there’s something else to consider. Deltas maintain society. Deltas make up society. Their numbers in the workforce are what constitute society as a whole. The hierarchy would not exist without them, and the status quo would not be enforced.
Because of this, sigmas also rely on deltas. Without them, they would have no hierarchy to exploit or maneuver through. Sigmas live outside of the hierarchy. They would cease to exist if the hierarchy — and by extension, the framework in which society operates — vanished as well.
Delta Male Examples: Iconic Deltas in Fiction
If you want to learn what makes a delta male a delta male, it’s best to see them in action. Most of the time, characters in works of fiction embody the different kinds of people you encounter in the real world.
Delta males, or rather, “average joes”, exist all around you. As such, it’s pretty rare for films to feature delta protagonists as heroes are often exceptional. The very concept of the delta goes against that.
Because delta protagonists are so rare, it’s interesting to see them and how they develop over the course of their respective stories. Some deltas were once at the top of the social hierarchy before falling from grace, much like Bojack Horseman from the television series of the same name. Other deltas were simply average. Many sported generic features and worked generic jobs. This is the case of Emmet Brickowski from The Lego Movie (2014).
Deltas rarely break out of their comfort zones and live exciting, thrilling lives. Most of the stories that feature these protagonists revolve around how they are thrust out into the world, willingly or not, and how they grow as individuals as they’re exposed to new things or forced to answer a heroic calling.
Here are three iconic delta males in works of fiction.
Emmet Brickowski
First on the list is Emmet Brickoswki, a regular construction worker from Bricksburg. Like many of his peers, Emmet is totally nondescript, sporting a generic face and wearing the same clothes as all the other construction workers. If the story didn’t revolve around him, he wouldn’t have stood out in any way or form.
In several ways, Emmet is the perfect example of a delta male. All he wishes to do is blend in, live a normal life, and follow the status quo as much as possible. He reads guides on how to live happily. He listens to popular music that everyone else likes. When he’s at work, he’s indistinguishable from every other character, and he’s content with letting other people call the shots. Emmet faced great difficulty adapting to strange situations. He relied on instructions and followed guides constantly. Now, he had to leave those all behind.
As the story progresses, Emmet becomes “the Special” — the prophesied hero destined to seal the Kragle and become a creative master builder. Though he struggles at first, he eventually grows as a person and learns how to use his experience in construction to create all manners of things. Emmet realized his true potential after facing great adversity. He learned to use his skills for so much more than getting by. Emmet’s role as the movie’s protagonist shows that delta males don’t need to have the most interesting backgrounds or exciting lives to become great.
Bojack Horseman
While The Lego Movie’s Emmet might be an example of a happy, positive delta male, Bojack Horseman from the series of the same name serves as a more problematic example. In fact, “problematic” might even be an understatement. Bojack developed extreme bitterness and resentment over his loss of fame and status. Unlike Emmet, Bojack portrays a different kind of delta — one who was once higher up in the social ladder before falling into obscurity. Having lost the respect and adoration of the public, Bojack Horseman is the perfect example of a has-been.
Bojack represents the sort of delta who constantly tries and fails to bring himself out of his position in the social hierarchy. Even though his glory days have long since passed, there are still people who recognize him; or at least, they recognize what he once was. Despite his wealth, he has fallen from the graces of society and has tremendous difficulty climbing up and down the social ladder.
In many ways, Bojack embodies all the negative traits of a delta male. He gets complacent and plateaus as a person. He stubbornly refuses to grow and develop by admitting that he’s past his prime. To top it all off, he is resentful and foul-tempered, often playing the victim and criticizing society for his declining relevance. He uses his poor mental health as an excuse to be mean to people, and he develops several self-sabotaging tendencies that stop him from ever maturing.
Despite everything, however, he is compelling. Bojack has genuine and heartfelt moments where he desires to do better, but simply can’t due to his severe issues. He felt remorse over the horrendous acts he committed in life. Despite this, he can’t stop doing them. This bitterness brought about by years of wallowing and stagnancy exemplifies the struggle of the delta male.
Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty, a negative assets manager at Life magazine, is forced to search for the missing “negative #25” — a picture from a roll provided to him by photographer Sean O’Connell. The picture is said to capture the “quintessence of Life”, slated to be used as the cover of the magazine’s final issue.
What distinguishes Walter from Emmet and Bojack is how he regularly fantasizes about living a more exciting life. Walter imagines himself in situations where he’s more heroic and romantic towards his crush, Cheryl. Such fantasies include diving into a building primed to explode to save Cheryl’s dog. Others include over-the-top, cinematic fights between himself and his boss. He even sees himself having mundane conversations with Cheryl at the workplace.
Over the course of the film, strange circumstances force him to come out of his shell. Piece by piece, the things he’d fantasize about would gradually become reality. He’d finally muster up the courage to talk to Cheryl and spend time with her. He’d travel abroad, moving from country to country in pursuit of a specific photograph. Over the course of his journey, he’d even outrun explosions and trek through mountainous landscapes.
At the end of the film, it was revealed that the missing 25th negative was actually a picture hidden in the wallet that Sean had given him. The cover of Life’s final magazine turned out to be a photo of none other than Walter himself. The real heroes of the story, and the people that Life celebrated, are all the unseen delta male workers like Walter who made the magazine possible.
Though Walter does ultimately lose his job, he does manage to become infinitely more confident in the process. He finally lived the life he dreamt about for so long. Best of all, he and Cheryl get together in the end. As the face on the cover of the magazine’s final issue, it’s likely his true life was just about to begin.
What Does It Mean to be a Delta Male?
When it comes to romance, you’d be surprised at how many people actually prefer the exceptionally average delta male. There’s nothing wrong with not standing out, and it’s far better to be stable, constant, and confident than it is to be successful yet self-absorbed.
Still, don’t take this as an invitation to stagnate as a person and remain too constant. People are dynamic, after all. Women won’t like you if you’re too stuck in your ways either.
If you’ve got someone you’re interested in and you’re eager to make a move on her, here’s a guide on how to ask a girl to be your girlfriend.
