From Fight Club to Gladiator, many films feature characters described as ‘alpha males’.
But did you know that there are actually six categories of men?
According to scientists, all men are either alphas, bravos, deltas, gammas, omegas, or sigmas.
So, which one are you?
Experts from IDRlabs have developed a quick Male Hierarchy Test that will reveal which category you fit into.
‘The typology of male social hierarchies has become part of internet culture and is a categorization system that sorts heterosexual men into archetypes,’ IDRlabs explained.
‘The system has variously been called a piece of modern mythology, pseudoscience, and a great heuristic for navigating social relationships.
‘Where in the male social hierarchy would you be?’
The Male Hierarchy Test features 31 statements, which respondents are asked to respond to on a five-point scale ranging from Disagree to Agree.
Statements include things like ‘Being in debt doesn’t worry me as long as I can see a way out of it,’ ‘I demand a lot from the people around me,’ and ‘I do not panic easily.’
At the end of the test, you’ll be told which personality type you have, based on your answers.
1. Alpha Male
Alpha males are described as the ‘leaders of the masculine social hierarchy’.
These men tend to be charismatic, decisive, and willing to take risks at the top – and are usually successful with women.
‘They are the type of man other men naturally want to follow,’ IDRlabs explained.
While alpha males in film and TV are often depicted as jocks who lord over others and enjoy telling them what to do, the experts say that this isn’t the case in reality.
Alpha males like Tommy Shelby are described as the ‘leaders of the masculine social hierarchy’. These men tend to be charismatic, decisive, and willing to take risks at the top – and are usually successful with women
Alpha men like Captain America tend to be charismatic, decisive, and willing to take risks at the top – and are usually successful with women
In fact, being an alpha male is not all fun and games.
‘To maintain their position in the hierarchy, alphas must grapple with the immense burdens of responsibility as others look to them for guidance and direction,’ IDRlabs explained.
Alpha males also tend to be very protective of their status.
‘If the alpha senses that someone is threatening to challenge him or undermine his authority, he will strike back with impunity,’ the experts explained.
‘On the flip side, alphas tend to be very friendly and generous toward those who support their position as leader.’
Examples of alpha males from TV shows and films include Captain America, Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, and Maximus from Gladiator.
2. Bravo Male
Bravo males are the ‘lieutenants’ of the masculine social hierarchy, according to IDRlabs.
Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, and Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings are both examples of classic bravo males
Bravo males like Samwise Gamgee are the ‘lieutenants’ of the masculine social hierarchy, according to IDRlabs
And contrary to popular belief, bravos are not at the bottom of the hierarchy – they’re actually near the top.
‘They are usually found in close proximity to the alpha, where they act as his trusted advisors and perform essential roles in the hierarchy,’ the experts explaind.
As loyal ‘staff’ to the alpha, bravos also get to enjoy many of the benefits of high social status.
‘They are usually well-liked by women and enjoy the privileges of rank while avoiding the intense burdens of responsibilities the alpha has to bear,’ IDRlabs said.
‘Because they do not have to constantly fight for their position the way alphas do, bravos can also afford to be a bit friendlier with people.’
While alpha males tend to get most of the glory, bravos are ‘crucial’ to stable hierarchies, as they enforce the alpha’s vision to maintain order and structure.
Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, and Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings are both examples of classic bravo males.
3. Delta Male
Delta males like Frodo Baggins are described as the ‘workers’ of the masculine social hierarchy. They consist of ‘normal guys’ who are not necessarilty interested in fighting for dominance, and instead pride themselves on ‘getting the job done’
Delta males from TV and film include Marty McFly from Back To The Future, and Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings
Delta males are described as the ‘workers’ of the masculine social hierarchy.
They consist of ‘normal guys’ who are not necessarilty interested in fighting for dominance, and instead pride themselves on ‘getting the job done’.
‘Deltas are also the type that is most likely to move up or down the hierarchy as they develop their skills and their industriousness makes them indispensable,’ IDRlabs said.
However, this attitude can land them in trouble.
‘Because they tend to be frank and straightforward, expecting sincerity and decency in others, deltas may sometimes be exploited – by friends, family or romantic partners – who are associating with the delta to milk them for favors and resources rather than because they like them,’ IDRlabs explained.
‘Deltas would do well to remember that their earnestness and resources are likely to attract freeloaders.’
Delta males from TV and film include Marty McFly from Back To The Future, and Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings.
4. Gamma Male
Gamma males like Jack Sparrow are the ‘intellectuals’ of the masculine social hierarchy. These men tend to be ‘book smart’, but lack the social skills, money, looks, or mental toughness needed to establish dominance
Many gamma males like Tony Stark consider themselves ‘secret kings’ who should actually be in charge. But since they tend to be dissatisfied with their position, women tend to pick up on their frustration and dismiss them
Gamma males are the ‘intellectuals’ of the masculine social hierarchy.
These men tend to be ‘book smart’, but lack the social skills, money, looks, or mental toughness needed to establish dominance.
‘Because intellect is their strength, gammas often overstress the intellectual side of life, believing that it alone should determine who makes it to the top,’ IDRlabs said.
‘To gammas, it will often seem unfair that their intellectual inferiors are the ones to rise to the top.’
Many gamma males consider themselves ‘secret kings’ who should actually be in charge.
But since they tend to be dissatisfied with their position, women tend to pick up on their frustration and dismiss them.
‘This can keep gammas from realizing their full potential, leaving them in a “gamma trap”,’ the experts warned.
Examples in TV and film include Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, Tony Stark from Ironman, and Han Solo from Star Wars.
At the bottom of the masculine social hierarchy is the omega male. Peter Parker from Spiderman, and Walter Mitty from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are classic examples of omega males
Omegas like Walter Mitty – often depicted as nerds or geeks – usually cling to others due to fear of being lonely
5. Omega Male
At the bottom of the masculine social hierarchy is the omega male – the polar opposite of the alpha male.
These men are often seen as social outcasts, lacking social skills and tending to be introverted, with no self-confidence.
Omegas – often depicted as nerds or geeks – usually cling to others due to fear of being lonely.
Unfortunately, these traits mean they are usually unpopular – particularly among women.
Peter Parker from Spiderman, and Walter Mitty from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are classic examples of omega males.
6. Sigma Male
Finally, we have sigma males, who shun the masculine social hierarchy altogether.
Sigma males like James Bond shun the masculine social hierarchy altogether. These ‘lone wolves’ turn their backs on the norms of society, and pursue their own path instead
Unsurprisingly, sigmas like John Wick are often romanticised in internet culture
These ‘lone wolves’ turn their backs on the norms of society, and pursue their own path instead.
This can make sigmas unpopular with alphs and bravos, who don’t trust them.
However, among women, sigmas usually prove to be a hit.
‘Women often find the self-determination and detachment of sigmas attractive, so sigmas are likely to do well with the opposite sex,’ IDRlabs explained.
Unsurprisingly, sigmas are often romanticised in internet culture.
‘However, opting out of the social order is often a high-risk play that is not guaranteed to go well,’ IDRlabs added.
‘There is no denying, however, that when a sigma does manage to be successful, his lifestyle tends to come with a certain glamor and mystique.’
James Bond, Bruce Wayne, and John Wick are all examples of typical sigma men.
