Who is a sigma male in men and how he differs from the alpha male: signs of sigma male and sigma female

In sigma males you can recognize heroes of action movies and psychological dramas. For example, John Wick or Tyler Durden from Fight Club. They are bright, mysterious, show strength, but at the same time do not seek leadership in the usual sense.

This is how social media users have characterized the type of men who have been fashionable in the past few years. Sigmas – a very cinematic image, but people with similar qualities are found in real life. What is this type so attractive? We understand together with a psychologist.

Who is a sigma male?

business psychologist, clinical psychologist “Clinic of Dr. Anikina”

“It is worth immediately stipulating that this definition is not scientific. Sigma male is a term from the slang of the Internet community, which became popular thanks to memes, bloggers and personal growth coaches. Nevertheless, it’s in use and worth dissecting. So what traits are attributed to these men? Sigmas are self-sufficient, confident, and independent. They are intellectuals and easily adapt to the situation. They are often contrasted with alpha males.”

Sigma does not fit into the traditional popular theory of the alpha-beta-gamma-omega-delta social hierarchy. It is often drawn in the form of a pyramid, with alpha males at the top – leaders who have power, respect and public recognition. Further down the pyramid are types with less pronounced characteristics.

Sigma had no place in it. The theory was criticized as simplistic, outdated and not corresponding to reality in 2010. American blogger Theodore Robert Beale provided another classification of types, which included deltas, gammas, lambdas, sigmas and omegas.

According to his concept, sigmas are men who are on the same level as alphas, that is, at the top of the classification but outside the pyramid of social hierarchy.

Sigmas do not obey anyone and do not depend on the opinion of others, live by their own rules, not subject to external influence. They have high intelligence, developed creativity. Sigmas are attractive to women, but are not attached to them. This archetype of the “lone wolf”, which does not need a pack.

The main features of the sigma male

Characteristics of the new type of personality is very conditional and does not have a clear gradation. They are created, as a rule, by users of social networks. But still, having analyzed, you can distinguish several obvious features of the type.

1. Self-sufficiency

Sigma male does not need confirmation of his status, power, attractiveness and success from others. He does not seek approval, praise, attention, or dependence from others. Relies on his own abilities, knowledge, and experience. Is confident in himself and his goals and is not afraid to be different from others. Lives by his/her own rules and values, rarely violating the rights and freedoms of others.

2- Adaptability

The Sigma male is able to adapt to any conditions, circumstances, environments and people. Not afraid of change, easily takes risks. Prefers to learn from his experience and mistakes, can find a way out of any situation, solve a problem, achieve a goal.

3. intelligence

The Sigma male relies on high intelligence, not just strength. He has abilities to analyze, abstract and critical thinking, self-reflection and self-control. He is not afraid of complex issues, contradictions, paradoxes. Sigmas love to learn, experiment and discover new things.

4. Independence

The Sigma male is confident in his status and attractiveness, so he does not seek approval and is independent of others. Does not succumb to pressure and easily levels manipulation. Sigma interacts with other males on the basis of equality, respect and neutrality. Does not dominate them, but does not submit to them either.

The sigma male differs from the alpha in that he does not seek a pronounced position of leadership and does not seek recognition. He treats the occupation of high positions and hierarchy in the group with distrust, indifferent. It is not so important for him to occupy the main place and to have a generally accepted social status. He does not participate in the hierarchy, but does not submit to it either.

The role of the sigma male in society

The sigma male plays the role of an alternative, innovative and creative agent in society, energizing people with his example, ideas and actions. He demonstrates the possibility to live and act differently, by his own choice, to be free in his desires and ways to achieve goals.

Sigma contributes to changing social consciousness, relationships and social structures, bringing diversity, innovation, creativity to society and in many cases being the basis of progress.

Sigma male is perceived in society in different ways, depending on the level of development, culture and values of society. Somewhere sigma is a hero, leader, reformer and innovator. In other paradigms – a dangerous rebel and uncontrollable dissident. In still other circles, it is another unnoticeable, unclaimed person.

Like any personality type, it is worth considering it under the prism of negative and positive aspects. This will give an understanding of how the set of these or those characteristics affects the emotional and psychological state of a person.

Pros of the sigma male

1. Freedom

Sigma is not limited by any framework and conventions: his actions are based on personal preferences and experience. Public censure and criticism for him remain always overboard. Can allow to change his opinion when new inputs appear, to be himself and not to adjust to others.

2. Self-sufficiency

Sigma is deprived of a bouquet of torment and heartaches, reflection and doubts about the correctness of actions. His decision is always a clearly planned action, not subject to change. He lives by his own rules and values. This is a luxury available to a few.

Minuses of the sigma male

1. loneliness

Due to his character, style of behavior and beliefs sigma has no close friends. If the family if and gets a family, then by calculation, rarely joins any community. He does not need anyone’s support, warmth and belonging to any group.

2. High stress level

Sigma is constantly on the alert for a fight, so he cannot relax, rest and forget. Internal attitudes prevent him from being weak and asking for help, so the constant pressure can make him feel stressed, irritated, and seem aggressive.

Thus, the characteristics of the sigma male affect the emotional and psychological state of a man in different aspects. On the one hand, there is satisfaction, pride and meaning in his work and life. On the other hand, sigma, psychologically protecting himself from the outside world, deprives himself of the opportunity to experience emotions. Becomes apathetic and emotionally disconnected.

What is interesting about this type?

The concept of “sigma male” has a certain significance in social psychology, as it reflects some trends and changes in modern society. In particular, the definition is associated with such phenomena as individualism, independence, resourcefulness and self-actualization. These phenomena characterize the modern man who strives for freedom, self-expression, development and meaning in life.

That is, the sigma male can be seen as one possible model of behavior and identity that meets modern needs and values. However, the psychotype has its limitations and risks. Sigma may suffer from social skills of interaction, cooperation.

Sigmas is a very attractive image for the protagonist of movies, with his personal drama. He is loved by the audience. In life, however, do not dwell on a certain psychotype and should look for other characteristics in men. Reality is always much more interesting and wider than classifications.

Keanu Reeves as John Wick

Examples of sigma males in movies

Movies are a fertile environment to portray in all its glory the type of lone wolf, acting without rules, achieving goals. You want to look at them, the heroes cause a storm of feelings and questions. They are multifaceted, and not always fully understand the motives for their actions.

Patrick Bateman from “American Psycho.”

A successful and wealthy financier does not follow moral and legal constraints, but satisfies his desires. Does not depend on the opinions of others, but knows how to pretend and manipulate them. He does not seek friendship, love and family.

Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman

Tyler Durden from “Fight Club.”

The charismatic hero does not obey rules and authorities, but creates his own. Does not need material benefits, status or belonging to a social group, values freedom.

Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden

Walter White from “Breaking Bad.”

A former teacher becomes a drug lord to provide for his family. After being diagnosed with cancer, he doesn’t settle for a passive role, but takes life into his own hands and isn’t afraid to take risks. He does not listen to advice, but relies on himself, his intuition and feelings.

Bryan Lee Cranston as Walter White

Examples of real sigma males

If not strictly pick on the classification, then, in addition to movie and fictional characters, the type of sigma can be distinguished and people from the real world. This is usually a famous, outstanding person who not only created a unique work, but was able to influence the minds of many, ignite, inspire. Who, for example, can fall into this list?

George Orwell – writer, journalist, literary critic

Wrote about topics that were unusual, provocative for his time. Orwell was devoted to his ideas, and no events could affect his internal guidelines. He lived by his own principles, not seeking fame and fortune. It was more important for the writer to convey his views to the public.

George Orwell

Jimi Hendrix – guitarist, singer, composer.

Did not imitate other popular musicians, but sought his own sound. Did not belong to one of the current trends, but experimented and searched for his own style. Did not rely on the recommendations of producers and labels, but recorded and performed music himself.

Jimi Hendrix

Quentin Tarantino is a film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer

Has made numerous movies that have become iconic. At the beginning of his work he did not fit his scripts into the standards of cinematography, had conflicts with producers, but he chose his own direction and created original works. He is not afraid to shock, not afraid to provoke the viewer, ready for criticism and indifferent to it.

Quentin Tarantino

Eminem – musician, composer, producer

Created his music without giving in to criticism, pressure from competitors. Expressed his views, feelings through his songs, not afraid to be misunderstood. The audience did not immediately accept the compositions of the young musician, but Eminem did not put his hands down and continued to fight for success. It was important for the singer to prove to the world what he was capable of.

Eminem