As a man, you may feel unhappy with your options within the male social hierarchy.
Your distaste for the system and sense of otherness may mean that you possess sigma male traits.
Sigma males operate mostly on their own terms.
They are not below alpha males.
In fact, sigma males can hold an equivalent status to the alpha while enjoying greater freedom and connection with their truest selves.
The following examination of the sigma male personality could empower you to cultivate the liberating aspects of the sigma male lifestyle.
- What Is A Sigma Male?
- Sigma Male vs. Alpha Male
- Sigma Males vs. Omega Males
- Sigma Males vs. Delta Males?
- Sigma Males vs. Beta Males?
- 15 Signs of the Sigma Male Personality
- 1. Unresponsive to Authority
- 2. Happy in Solitude
- 3. Adapts Easily to Change
- 4. Treats People Equally
- 5. Quiet and Contemplative
- 6. Self-Reliant
- 7. Great Self-Awareness
- 8. Marches to His Own Beat
- 9. Often Mysterious or Enigmatic
- 10. Flirts with Danger
- 11. May Lack Social Skills
- 12. Confidence
- 13. Great Listeners
- 14. Abstract Thinkers
- 15. Leads by Example
- Sigma Male and the Social Dominance Hierarchy
- What Are Sigma Male Weaknesses?
- Famous Sigma Males
- Dating A Sigma Male
- Embrace Your Sigma Male Personality
What Is A Sigma Male?
You may be familiar with the classic male social hierarchy that places alphas on top. Beta males occupy the next step down, followed by delta males, gamma males, and omega males.
The sigma male does not fit in at all.
A sigma man neither leads nor follows. He feels no overwhelming urge to be the boss or to settle for the scraps of status potentially available to followers.
Sigmas may experience a co-equal status to alphas because they also frequently attract sexual partners and generally intrigue people.
If you're a sigma male, your outsider status is actually a display of power. You value your freedom too much to jockey for a position in a hierarchy.
Additionally, the sigma male does not require the validation offered by a hierarchical position. His charisma arises from his willingness to listen to others, lack of emotional neediness, and enticing aura of mystery.
Where did the term “sigma male” originate? It first appeared in 2010 on the blog of Theodore Robert Beale, aka Vox Day. When discussing the traditional social hierarchy, Day proposed adding another personality type outside the main framework for guys who “play by [their] own rules.”
Initially, sigma males were associated with “crypto bros” and the “rise and grind” set. These days, though, the category encompasses a broader spectrum of men.
Sigma Male vs. Alpha Male
Although sigma males display some distinctly different personality traits than alpha males, they have some things in common.
The sigma male has a high status in the eyes of others. They can command attention in social gatherings, attract sexual partners, and avoid bowing down to authority.
Sigma male and alpha male similarities include:
A sigma male may have the inner qualities to pursue an alpha position, but key personality differences motivate the person to take a different path.
You will often hear Sigma males referred to as a “lone wolf.” This is partially correct because Sigma males thrive on their own. They do not need the constant social reinforcement that defines an alpha male's existence.
An alpha cannot exist outside of a social context, but the sigma male's identity remains the same regardless of the presence of people.
He thinks for himself and pursues personal goals instead simply following a herd mentality. Sigma males choose social interactions and relationships from genuine interest instead of the need to cultivate large social circles for the purposes of domination.
Here are some ways that Sigma males differ from alpha males:
Any sigma male test that you encounter will attempt to parse from your responses these differences and similarities. A full spectrum of variances occupies the territory between the extremes of fully alpha and fully sigma.
Alpha males are traditionally viewed as charismatic pack leaders. They take charge and stand out in a crowd. Alphas usually run in large social circles — or aim to — and strive for leadership positions.
Both alpha and sigma males fall on the strong end of the dominance hierarchy scale. Confidence is their calling card, and neither has ever been accused of laziness.
But when alphas are out and about, jockeying to climb the corporate ladder and be seen by the “right” people at the “best” social events, sigmas are doing their own thing, on their own time, following the beat of their own drummers.
Furthermore, alphas are more likely to be aggressive and competitive, whereas sigmas value their freedom and privacy.
When it’s time to hand out the awards, alphas will relish the adoration and spotlight and proudly display their trophies in their offices.
On the other hand, Sigmas will probably skip the event altogether, and the plaques will spend the rest of their days in dusty boxes in dark closets.
Sigma Males vs. Omega Males
Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega males are usually seen as bottom dwellers. On the surface, they lack social skills, confidence, ambition, and friends.
But in truth, many “omega men” are fascinating people with niche interests who may not be neurotypical.
So in several key ways, sigmas and omegas are alike. Both are accustomed to spending lots of time alone, and most folks tend to like them when they spend one-on-one time together.
But while sigmas confidently revel in hermitages of their own design, omegas crave being part of a crew and may deal with insecurity.
Sigma Males vs. Delta Males?
Who are the guys always planning get-togethers and intramural sporting events? The dudes who love making connections and working toward the greater good?
They’re the delta males. Cooperative and reliable, deltas are hardworking and highly social.
Sigmas and deltas may click well when their interests converge. They may even spend a lot of time together if they share a passion for something. For example, the friendship between Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak epitomizes the sigma-delta bond.
The biggest difference between the two is their appetite for other people. Deltas are team-oriented and enjoy spending lots of time with the gang, whereas sigmas value their independence and are much more comfortable in the confines of their own homes.
Sigma Males vs. Beta Males?
So-called beta males are traditionally subordinate to alpha males. They’re the followers, the guys thrilled to grovel at the feet of top dogs, the brown nosers, and sycophants.
Some betas are social, and others are homebodies. In romantic relationships, betas are often more sensitive.
In some ways, sigmas and betas are alike. Both tend to be less assertive and have no problem being quiet in the corner. But sigmas are typically more confident and less risk-averse.
Plus, sigma males usually value their goals above social connections, while betas crave and desperately try to cultivate relationships.
15 Signs of the Sigma Male Personality
1. Unresponsive to Authority
Living outside of the social hierarchy greatly limits a sigma male's desire to follow leaders. Nonconformist is also an appropriate word.
Most people either have an inner desire to dominate and lead or be a follower and comply with authority figures.
As a free thinker uncoupled from the human tendency to find comfort in authority, you have little or no compulsion to accept authority.
A sigma may at times agree with an authority figure, but the decision arises from independent thought that has deemed an authoritative decision strategically valuable.
2. Happy in Solitude
Sigma males are often summed up with the simplistic label of introverted alpha. This is true in that sigmas fall on the introverted side of the introvert/extrovert spectrum.
As a result, sigma males often spend time by themselves. They use social media infrequently and don't need regular contact with others to feel content.
As a sigma male, you appreciate your inner world and want to engage in activities that are personally fulfilling, whether they are oriented to financial gain or the acquisition of new relationships.
3. Adapts Easily to Change
Sigma males have a chameleon-like nature. Their flexible personalities adjust to different situations. They can interact with multiple social hierarchies without becoming part of them.
Because sigma males are not fixed in a position on the social hierarchy, they risk less when changing their social role.
Although Sigma males aren't ever going to be a team player, they are perfectly capable of functioning within groups when necessary or desired.
4. Treats People Equally
If you're a Sigma male, then you get along with people from all levels of the social hierarchy. Unlike someone trying to maintain a hierarchical position, you would rarely have ulterior motives.
The sigma male engages people out of genuine interest or curiosity. This differs greatly from the alpha, who wants to dominate or at least extract something of value out of other people.
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5. Quiet and Contemplative
Sigma men can generally read everyone in a room like an alpha may do, but sigmas won't feel the overt need to broadcast their brilliance.
Sigma males tend to prioritize thinking before speaking. They like to spend time analyzing everything, including experiences, emotions, and new information.
They take the time to reach their own conclusions instead of accepting conventional interpretations.
6. Self-Reliant
Independence is the guiding force of the sigma male. If you are a sigma, you avoid authority. You'll seek a lifestyle that lets you be the master of your fate.
Although a sigma male is not above seeking help when appropriate, he typically can recognize his own problems and solve them. He knows how to take care of himself and is content to do so.
7. Great Self-Awareness
Sigma males know what they want from life because they have given it plenty of thought and rejected the roles expected of them in a normal hierarchy.
When you're freed from the pressure of functioning in a hierarchy, your emotions and desires take center stage.
With greater self-awareness comes a greater capacity to manage emotions and recognize when they are serving you or not serving you.
8. Marches to His Own Beat
A sigma man doesn't need to follow trends or do what's expected. He marches to his own beat — not to stand out or impress but because that's who he is.
He knows what he likes and what he wants and doesn't need society's input (or anyone's, for that matter) to define him.
He has an inner compass that guides him, even if he goes against the flow or ruffles some feathers. He's his own man and completely confident in that.
9. Often Mysterious or Enigmatic
The Sigma guy doesn't need to wear his emotions on his sleeve or reveal all aspects of himself to everyone. Others may not be able to read him or know exactly what he's thinking.
There's an air of mystery about him that isn't intentional. He's not trying to be secretive or perplexing. He just holds back until he's ready to offer more. This quality can be frustrating for those in a relationship with him, but the right kind of partner will appreciate his strong and silent approach.
10. Flirts with Danger
Because he is independent and doesn't always comply with authority, the Sigma man can flirt with dangerous situations. He's not a troublemaker or a lawbreaker, but he doesn't mind stepping close to the line.
He doesn't do this just to make a point or show off. He has a good reason that fits with his personal worldview.
He may do things that appear reckless and aren't completely safe (riding motorcycles, swimming with sharks, etc.), but because he's intelligent, he takes calculated risks that he thinks through carefully.
11. May Lack Social Skills
Either because he doesn't have time to bother with them or hasn't honed them, social skills aren't the Sigma male's strong suit.
He finds small talk boring and unnecessary and doesn't see the point in trying to brown-nose the boss or curry favor with decision-makers. Ingratiating himself to others to try to impress goes against his values.
He may be the guy who shows up in jeans to a cocktail party he really doesn't want to attend. Or he's the one who doesn't reply to texts or emails because he doesn't spend much time looking at his phone or computer.
12. Confidence
To use an animal analogy, if wolf packs are composed of alphas, betas, deltas, gammas, and omegas, sigmas are the equally cunning lone coyotes sharing the same woods but out on their own.
Not following the pack takes courage and heaps of self-reliance.
At first, some folks may read a sigma's confidence as arrogance. But after getting to know them, you’ll usually find a passionate, undemonstrative, and kindly person underneath the somewhat detached facade — not a snob.
13. Great Listeners
Though some Sigma males may come across as a tad aloof, most are excellent listeners. They're genuinely interested in others’ opinions and views, especially if it relates to one of their passions or interests.
However, if you're droning on and on about something trivial, gossipy, or inconsequential, don't expect a sigma male to remain enthused and engaged. In some situations, he may bluntly tell you he's not interested and walk away. While Sigma males can be super observant and great conversationalists, they typically don't suffer fools — or foolish conversations.
14. Abstract Thinkers
One main difference between alphas and sigmas is the latter's tendency to eschew conformity. Resultantly, sigmas tend to be deeper, abstract thinkers. Since they enjoy loads of alone time, sigmas devour books and articles and consume more educational programming, ultimately expanding their knowledge base and cognitive function.
15. Leads by Example
Alpha males typically emulate traditional leadership models and want to be seen and treated with reverence. Sigmas approach it differently. Instead of upholding hierarchy dynamics, sigmas almost always lead by example. Typically, they establish egalitarian teams where every member is valued and praised for contributing to the whole.
Moreover, sigma leaders usually don't yell and scream like many alpha ones.
Sigma Male and the Social Dominance Hierarchy
Social dominance hierarchies are structured ways to evaluate personality types and how they slot into society.
Or, to put it simply, they’re social status rankings based on behaviors and traits.
- Many people take social dominance hierarchies very seriously, but they’re not based on rigorous scientific findings. Sure, they can provide contextual clues about someone’s personality, but life is way too complicated for them to be set in stone.
- The framework is fluid, and we all exhibit different traits in disparate situations. Your personality at home may drastically differ from your behavior at work or social events.
- Where do sigma males fit into the hierarchy? Arguably, sigmas are on the same level as “alphas”; some folks even place sigmas above the traditionally dominant top dogs because they operate outside the masses. Observationally, sigmas are the non-conformists — the cool cats, the lone wolves.
A sigma male isn’t the least bit concerned about other peoples’ opinions of him or his things.
He likes what he likes and makes no apologies for his tastes and beliefs. In most cases, they’re fiercely independent and often introspective.
Furthermore, most sigmas are successful because they define what that means for themselves and are unbothered by others’ expectations or standards.
What Are Sigma Male Weaknesses?
Personality types are a mixed bag of pluses and minuses. So what traits on the Sigma spectrum may have you venting to your friends and screaming into your journal? Let's take a look.
- He May Have Commitment Issues: Sigma males are notoriously commitment-phobic. They've carefully chiseled out enjoyable lives, and convincing them to adjust takes a lot of work, affection, and time. Truth be told, in some circumstances, the effort isn't worth the reward.
- He May Be Introverted to a Fault: Being introverted isn't bad, and people who fall on that side of the scale are often fascinating. But too much of a good thing can spoil a personality. (Think: annoyingly chipper, hyper-extroverted, toxically positive, et cetera) Some sigma men are so inwardly focused it's impossible to get to know them.
- His Social Skills May Be a Bit Rough: Though they exist, Prince Charmings are a rarity in the sigma mine. More commonly, people within this social grouping have spiky social skills and could use a refresher in basic chivalry.
- He May Be Impractical: Most sigma males are passionate about a given topic, hobby, or profession. But that doesn't mean their interests are always practical. Sometimes, sigma males’ obsessions keep them from forming healthy relationships and maintaining financial stability.
Everyone is different, and personality types are fluid. So remember that contextual circumstances, personal experiences, mental health, and emotional maturity will shape individual behaviors.
Famous Sigma Males
Some Sigma male examples will increase your understanding of the subject. Fictional film characters provide famous examples of intelligent, independent men unconcerned with participation in a hierarchical structure.
Real-life contemporary figures illustrate the qualities of sigma males as well but are harder to identify because sigmas may not seek fame. Some consider Elon Musk a sigma due to his obsession with his ideas and goals.
Fictional Sigma males:
Dating A Sigma Male
Because the sigma male orients his life around his authentic self, he avoids shallow romantic relationships. He may indulge in casual dating flings, but he'll only feel motivated to launch a real relationship with someone sufficiently compelling to him.
His ability to stand out from the crowd aids him in attracting potential partners, which means he does not have to settle for someone not up to his standards.
As with all aspects of the sigma male life, these men think through the details. They take relationships seriously and don't usually enter into a dating relationship lightly. They will not want to spend time with partners who want to play manipulative games.
Sigma males are good in romantic relationships with women who are:
You may notice how this list reflects many of the same attributes as the Sigma male. The sigma male is good with women who are secure with themselves and don't need continual validation. Neediness essentially turns off Sigma males.
Because Sigma men need their space, open and honest communication within a relationship about expectations will be helpful. These men gravitate toward nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles. They may never want to settle down with a traditional family.
However true love always remains a possibility, but the partners of a sigma male need to acknowledge that he will live on his own terms. That may include a long-term relationship or it may not.
The clear takeaway for anyone dating a Sigma male is that you'll never change him.
Instead, you should respect his individuality and go from there.
Embrace Your Sigma Male Personality
You can mindfully nourish sigma male traits and improve your life satisfaction.
Perhaps you're unhappy with your position within a male hierarchy. Maybe you even gravitate into the alpha ranks but dislike the demands of that role.
If you're feeling too much pressure and experiencing too little reward, then adopting the sigma male approach to life could help you connect with the right career or experience greater dating success.
You might already have strong sigma male traits but never fully recognized them. Taking a Sigma male test will let you see where your starting point is.
It’s never too late to free yourself from a stifling hierarchy and embrace your authentic nature.