Should you aim to be the “alpha”?
The most dominant animal in a pack is referred to as the “alpha”. Other animals with lower social status are called betas, but each beta has its own ranking.
Being the boss at work or the most popular individual of a group are human examples of alpha status. It often comes along with benefits such as admiration, obedience, more options in the dating world etc.
Therefore, many people dream of obtaining alpha status. You would be in charge, instead of others telling you what to do, for example.
However, does having alpha status only provide benefits?
This study examined the relationship between social rank and hormone levels in the fecal samples of baboons in 5 groups of wild baboons over a nine-year period.
The lower the social rank of the baboon, the higher the concentration of stress hormones in their faeces. However, the alpha baboon was an exception to this, because despite the highest rank it also displayed a high level of stress.
These data suggest that having a low social status is stressful. However, having the highest possible status is also very stressful. This suggests that a high status is desirable, but not so high that you have the responsibility to make the tough decisions, have to watch your back, etc.
Note that this study was in baboons. To what extent such concepts can be translated to humans is unclear. In addition, the concept of “alpha” status is highly debated.
Nevertheless, this study raises some doubt that you should strive to become your own boss, strive to be the leader, etc. Such positions come with advantages but may also have costs that are not always obvious.
Study:
Gesquiere et al. Life at the top: rank and stress in wild male baboons, Science, 2011
Go to the next infographic in the hormone series:
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