logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2018
15m 55s

The surprising science of alpha males | ...

TED
About this episode
In this fascinating look at the "alpha male," primatologist Frans de Waal explores the privileges and costs of power while drawing surprising parallels between how humans and primates choose their leaders. His research reveals some of the unexpected capacities of alpha males -- generosity, empathy, even peacekeeping -- and sheds light on the power struggles of human politicians. "Someone who is big and strong and intimidates and insults everyone is not necessarily an alpha male," de Waal says.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
TED Talks Daily Book Club: Intentional Ambition: Redefining Your Work for Greater Joy, Freedom, and Fulfillment | Rha Goddess
Rha Goddess is an entrepreneurial soul coach and author of the new book "Intentional Ambition: Redefining Your Work for Greater Joy, Freedom, and Fulfillment." In this TED Talks Daily Book Club interview with host Elise Hu, Goddess talks about moving forward after the 2020 pandem ... Show More
53m 52s
Yesterday
Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life | Catherine Price (re-release)
Have you had your daily dose of fun? It's not just enjoyable, it's also essential for your health and happiness, says science journalist Catherine Price. She proposes a new definition of fun -- what she calls "true fun" -- and shares easy, evidence-backed ways to weave playfulnes ... Show More
13m 26s
Aug 22
What sex, soap and alcohol taught me about making an impact | Myriam Sidibe
What if saving lives and growing a company went hand in hand? Public health expert Myriam Sidibe thinks many businesses are going about social impact all wrong — and leaving millions of dollars on the table at the same time. Drawing from decades of experience, she reveals a playb ... Show More
11m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
The ‘alpha male’ myth, debunked | Frans de Waal
Primatologist Frans de Waal inadvertently popularized the term ‘alpha male.’ Now, he’s debunking common stereotypes to explain what an ‘alpha male’ really is – empathetic and protective. All social animals establish hierarchies, but being an “alpha male” is not merely about stren ... Show More
8m 22s
Aug 2023
Mâle alpha, gros bêta ?
La violence masculine, un phénomène “naturel” et inévitable chez les mammifères ? Souvent rebattue pour justifier la domination genrée dans nos sociétés, cette rengaine s’appuie sur des comparaisons simplistes entre humain·es et animaux. Loi de la jungle, rivalité des mâles, inst ... Show More
59m 1s
May 13
Building Tribe — How to Create and Sustain Communities of Men
Community is one of life's most valuable but increasingly scarce resources. While we hear about a supposed epidemic of male loneliness, many men still resist joining groups or struggle to maintain involvement after initial enthusiasm wanes.Today on the show, Frank Schwartz will h ... Show More
46m 1s
Nov 2023
Nancy Lindisfarne and Jonathan Neale, "Why Men?: A Human History of Violence and Inequality" (Hurst, 2023)
How did humans, a species that evolved to be cooperative and egalitarian, develop societies of enforced inequality? Why did our ancestors create patriarchal power and warfare? Did it have to be this way? These are some of the key questions that Dr. Nancy Lindisfarne and Dr. Jonat ... Show More
1h 14m
Nov 2023
What it REALLY Means to be an ALPHA MALE
The term Alpha Male gets thrown around a lot these days, so much so that it even has some negative connotations associated with it due to the term being misused. But when you peel back the curtains you’ll quickly see the idea of being an Alpha Male is not only completely positive ... Show More
19m 45s
Jun 2024
Loving oneself and loving others | Carol Gilligan, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Richard Wrangham
How much should we really value altruism?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesFrom charity-givers, to those who sacrifice themselves in war for others, we see altrusim and selflessness as virtues to be applauded. Those who take no hee ... Show More
58m 13s
Jul 2020
5 Signs You're Becoming an Alpha Male
All men want to be an Alpha Male. Alpha Males get all the girls and they typically find an immense amount of success in life. In this episode, Mark Sing explains what signs to look for on your journey to becoming an Alpha Male. And how to develop beliefs and behaviors within your ... Show More
16m 27s
Oct 2022
Nadine Weidman, "Killer Instinct: The Popular Science of Human Nature in Twentieth-Century America" (Harvard UP, 2021)
A historian of science examines key public debates about the fundamental nature of humans to ask why a polarized discourse about nature versus nurture became so entrenched in the popular sciences of animal and human behavior. Are humans innately aggressive or innately cooperative ... Show More
1h 9m
Jun 2024
MARK DRISCOLL | Act Like a Man
If you’re paying attention even in the slightest, you know there is a clear and deliberate agenda to undermine and de-value men and the role they play in society. It’s crucial that we, as men, remain vigilant in the knowledge of that and, more importantly, continue to show up pow ... Show More
1h 15m
Oct 2024
The Psychology of Immature Masculinity
The crisis in mature masculinity is very much upon us. Men feel anxious, on the verge of feeling impotent, helpless, frustrated, unloved, unappreciated, and often ashamed of being masculine. Something vital is missing in the many lives of men. For students of mythology and Jungia ... Show More
47m 59s