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In social animal
Social animal

A social animal is a loosely defined term for an organism that is highly Interaction with other members of its species to the point of having a recognizable and distinct society....
s, the alpha is the individual in the community to whom the others follow and defer. Where one male and one female fulfill this role, they are referred to as the alpha pair. In some groups, the alpha males and females are overrepresented in the genetics of a population if they are the only ones who breed successfully.

Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially known as a chimp, is the common name for the two Extant taxon species of ape in the genus Pan where the Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitat of the two species:...
s show deference to the alpha of the community by ritualised gestures such as bowing, allowing the alpha to walk first in a procession, or standing aside when the alpha challenges.






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In social animal
Social animal

A social animal is a loosely defined term for an organism that is highly Interaction with other members of its species to the point of having a recognizable and distinct society....
s, the alpha is the individual in the community to whom the others follow and defer. Where one male and one female fulfill this role, they are referred to as the alpha pair. In some groups, the alpha males and females are overrepresented in the genetics of a population if they are the only ones who breed successfully.

Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially known as a chimp, is the common name for the two Extant taxon species of ape in the genus Pan where the Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitat of the two species:...
s show deference to the alpha of the community by ritualised gestures such as bowing, allowing the alpha to walk first in a procession, or standing aside when the alpha challenges. Canines
Canidae

Canidae is the family of the dogs; a member of this family is called a canid. They include wolf, foxes, coyotes, and jackals. The Canidae family is divided into the "true dogs" of the tribe Canini and the "foxes" of the tribe Vulpini....
 (wolves & dogs, jackals, foxes, etc) show deference to the alpha pair in their pack, by allowing them to be the first to eat and, usually, the only pair to mate. The status of the alpha is sometimes achieved by means of superior physical prowess; however, in certain highly social species such as the bonobo
Bonobo

The Bonobo , which, until recently, usually was called the Pygmy Chimpanzee and less often, the Dwarf or Gracile Chimpanzee, is a great ape and one of the two species making up the genus, chimpanzee....
 and humans, a contender can use more indirect methods, such as political alliances, to oust the ruling alpha and take their place. Canines use eye contact to establish and maintain alpha position. Gorillas use intimidation.

See also

  • The Alpha-Pluses
    Brave New World

    Brave New World is a novel by Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 in literature and published in 1932 in literature. Set in the London of AD 2540 , the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology and sleep-learning that combine to change society....
     of Brave New World
  • Chillingham Cattle
    Chillingham Cattle

    Chillingham Cattle are cattle which live wild in a large enclosed park at Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, England. This rare breed consists of only about 80 animals worldwide, most of which inhabit a very large park that has existed since the Middle Ages ....
  • Big man
    Big man (anthropology)

    A big man, within the context of anthropology, refers to a highly influential individual in a tribe, especially in Melanesia and Polynesia. Such person has no formal authority , but maintains recognition through skilled persuasion and wisdom....
  • Hegemonic masculinity
    Hegemonic masculinity

    In gender studies, hegemonic masculinity refers to the idea that a culturally normative ideal of male behaviour exists , which is calculated to guarantee the dominant position of some men over others, and the subordination of women....
  • Hypergamy
    Hypergamy

    Hypergamy is the act or practice of seeking a spouse of equal or higher socio-economic status, or caste Social status than oneself. The term is often used more specifically in reference to a widespread tendency amongst human cultures for females to seek or be encouraged to pursue male suitors that are comparatively older, wealthier or other...