Who is the alpha female and what are its main features?

The notions "alpha-individual", "alpha-male" and "alpha-female" were introduced into practice by ethologists - scientists who study the behavior of schooling animals. For the first time, a chicken flock was checked for hierarchical structure within a community of animals of the same species. Scientists have identified (although peasants knew this long before them) that there is a rigid social hierarchy in the henhouse, where each member has its own "biosocial rank". In addition to this term, another fashionable expression - "order of pecking" - entered into everyday and unscientific usage. The term "alpha-individual" was introduced by David L. Meh, who studied the behavior of wolves within the pack.

Scientists have discovered that what the animal becomes - "alpha", "beta", "gamma" or "omega", has been laid down since birth and depends on a certain set of hormones. Experienced cynologists advise those who want to choose a dog with fighting qualities, loudly pounded with keys before the brood of puppies: whoever does not get scared, but growls and rushes to the keys, that and alpha. Observations of the wolf pack showed that alpha males contain a harem from several "prestigious" bitches. When mining is divided, the alpha male takes the most tasty pieces first and treats its females. Then come beta, and then gamma-individuals, omega-individuals also get scraps. But it is not uncommon for an alpha female to dominate a pack. Who is this?

It would be erroneous to extrapolate to it the apparent qualities of the alpha male. Such a female does not have a harem of males or promiscuous sexual intercourse. Yes, she does not need it. Alpha-individual is, first of all, a leader possessing authority and authority in his community. The main feature of the animal leader is not the amount of sexual intercourse, but a certain status. In males (so mother nature has disposed of) the main thing is to throw your seed into as many mothers as possible, and thus transfer your set of genes. Therefore, the male biologically always tries to acquire a harem, only it turns out not at all, but only in alpha males. Females are interested not in quantity, but in quality: choose the most optimal genotype, which will be passed on to her children. Therefore, the alpha female itself chooses the male. This is not necessarily an alpha male, but he is her choice.

It will be erroneous to think that the alpha is the most beautiful (in the sense of males) female. On the contrary, external attractiveness is a sign of fertility. Beta- and gamma-individuals use beauty to worm their way into the leader's harem, alpha male, and, having reached the desired, rest on their laurels: they do not need more. Alpha female is not one of them. She is not satisfied with the role of the pet, which receives the crumbs of her master's mercy - she herself wants to be a lady.

It is also wrong to think that the alpha female is the most abusive and vociferous animal in the pack. Nervous, hysterical behavior is, more likely, a sign of inner insecurity, a desire to increase its low status by means of "raids" and humiliation of even weaker ones. So gamma-individuals behave, acting out on unrequited omega-omega. Alpha-female is easy to recognize in a confident manner to keep and good-natured expression. She looks calm even in the most ridiculous situations and groomed, even if the pack is going through bad days.

Is it possible to transfer the definition of "alpha-individual" to the human community? On the one hand, we all came out of the animal kingdom, and a certain set of chromosomes, responsible for leadership qualities, is also present in us. On the other hand, the hierarchical structures of human society are much more complex than in the animal herd. Each person plays different roles in different microcommunities - in the family, at work, in the circle of friends, in a club of interests. In everyday speech, the name "alpha male", used for the macho, the conqueror of women's hearts, took root. However, a human female, being an "alpha", does not need men to gain a social status - it achieves it by intelligence, assertiveness, gaining its own authority.