In Baboons, Betas Have Less Stress, Princeton University Study

At last, good news for the beta male. From the wild to Wall Street, as everyone knows, the alpha male runs the show, enjoying power over other males and, as a field biologist might put it, the best access to mating opportunities. The beta is No. 2, not such a bad position. But conversationally, the term has become an almost derisive label for the nice guy, the good boy all grown up, the husband women look for after the fling with Russell Crowe. It may be time to take a step back from alpha worship. Field biologists, who gave the culture the alpha/beta trope in the first place, have found there can be a big downside to being No. 1.

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