What is an Alpha-male?

[elshiva]

I know it has to do with gorillas or something, but also politics.
Why do people call Gore and Kerry Alpha-males?

Good night (morning really) got to go to sleep...

[JI7]

1. not Gore but Clinton

it came up during 2000 when one of Gore's advisors was teaching him to be an "alpha male".

i guess it means a man who is very popular among men and women.

[ginnyinWI]

2. from wikipedia:

<<From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

An alpha male or alpha female is the individual in the community to whom the others follow and defer. Humans and their nearest species-relatives, the chimpanzees, show deference to the alpha of the community by ritualized gestures such as bowing, allowing the alpha to walk first in a procession, or standing aside when the alpha challenges. Canines also show deference to the alpha male in their pack, by allowing him to be the first to eat and the first to mate. Wolves are a well known example of this.

The status of alpha is generally achieved by means of superior physical prowess. However in certain highly-social species such as the Bonobo apes, the alpha can use more indirect methods (such as political alliances) to oust the ruling alpha and take his/her place.>>

In other words, an alpha male is a natural leader, someone who inspires people to follow and believe in him. :loveya:

[elshiva]

3. Thank You!