The subject of Alpha vs Beta male is heated, often contradictory. Some people love the concept, others completely reject it. Still, it has a strong cultural appeal.

The origins of the Alpha/Beta discussion stem from now-discredited studies of wolves in captivity. Nevertheless, this doesn't diminish the usefulness and popularity of using these terms to describe different types of people with different mindsets and behaviors. The concept or model has resonated with many people because they see it as having the power to quickly communicate important ideas in an easy to understand way.