Masculinity, femininity, and leadership: Taking a closer look at the alpha female

Abstract

An extensive review and textual analysis of the academic and popular literature of the human alpha female was conducted to examine the social construction and expression of the alpha female identity in a small non-random sample of North American women (N = 398). This review revealed 2 predominant alpha female representations in the literature–one more masculine versus one more feminine–and 21 alpha female variables. In this sample of women, the “alpha female” was found to be a recognized socially constructed female identity. Univariate analysis revealed positive and highly significant differences in self-reported mean scores between alpha (N = 94) and non-alpha (N = 304) females for 10 variables including, masculine traits, leadership, strength, low introversion, self-esteem, life satisfaction, sexual experience, initiates sex, enjoys sex and playing a dominant role in sexual encounters, with alpha females scoring higher than non-alphas. The measure of masculine traits was identified as the only predictor of alpha female status as per the multiple regression model. Interestingly, both alpha and non-alpha women scored the same for the measure of feminine traits. Further, both groups scored higher for feminine traits than masculine traits. The results also revealed that neither social dominance nor sexual dominance were predictors of alpha female status which challenge academic and popularized representations of this identity. The results suggest that although the alpha female is often regarded as an exceptional and, at times, an exoticized form of femininity, like other femininities, her identity is marked by contradictions and tensions

Hormones and the Human Alpha Female

“…Recently, Sumra [40] conducted an extensive review and textual analyses of the academic and popular literature of the human alpha female to examine the social construction and expression of the alpha female identity in a small non-random sample of North American women (N=398). In that study [40], participants completed a 96-question survey and were asked questions in the end of this survey about the alpha female identity. Participants could not go back to change their answers.…”

“…That review revealed 2 predominant alpha female representations in the academic and popular literature – one more masculine versus one more feminine – and 21 variables likely to be associated with the expression of the alpha female identity. That study [40] found that the alpha female was a recognized socially constructed female identity. Univariate analysis revealed positive and highly significant differences in self-reported mean scores between alpha (N=94) and non-alpha (N=304) females for 10 variables related to expression of the alpha female identity.…”

“…Univariate analysis revealed positive and highly significant differences in self-reported mean scores between alpha (N=94) and non-alpha (N=304) females for 10 variables related to expression of the alpha female identity. In that study [40], the measure of masculine traits was identified as the only predictor of alpha female status as per the multiple regression model. Interestingly, both alpha and non-alpha women scored the same for the measure of feminine traits.…”

“…Animal studies have revealed that increased levels of oxytocin are associated with behaviors that promote affiliation, cooperation and prosociality (performing acts that benefit or help others) with other females [38,39]. Communal behavior or affiliation has also been shown to be associated with the expression of the alpha female identity [40]. Research in humans, however, has yet to be conducted.…”

“…Specifically, the present research seeks to understand the associations between cortisol, testosterone, and alpha female attributes as well as how other hormones such as estradiol, progesterone, and oxytocin, may also play a role in the expression of this female identity. Examined alongside results from recent research on the expression of the alpha female identity which found masculine traits to be a predictor of alpha status [40], it is predicted that alpha women will exhibit higher testosterone but lower cortisol levels than non-alpha females. It is also predicted that testosterone will be positively associated with masculine traits.…”