The sigma male is the lone wolf, the enigma, the mystery. But because of his aloofness, it can be difficult to discern who the sigma male is. Understand the sigma male’s personality traits and find some real celebrity examples of sigmas in this article.
You might want to better recognize the sigma male so you can communicate better with him in the workplace, or to understand your partner to improve your relationship. Or maybe you want to know if you’re a sigma male so you can better understand yourself.
First, let’s introduce the six types of male personality in the socio-sexual heriarchy.
Six Types of Male Personality
Within the male socio-dominance hierarchy, six different temperaments emerge, psychologists refer to them as the six male personality types.
Alpha Male
Big Five Personality Traits: Extraversion & Neuroticism
The alpha male is at the top of the social hierarchy. He’s extroverted and imposing and needs social recognition to make him feel secure. He won’t stand for being disrespected or questioned about his place at the top.
Beta Male
Big Five Personality Trait: Agreeableness
The beta male is the sheep, the follower. You’ll often find a beta male trailing behind an alpha. The alpha gets the social recognition he needs from dominating the beta, and the beta feels secure with the presence of his alpha male protecting him.
Gamma Male
Big Five Personality Trait: Openness
The gamma male is seen as the adventurer. He doesn’t need the social recognition that an alpha needs and neither is he as strong and confident as a sigma. He isn’t as introverted and passive as the omega male and some may be omniverted so he doesn’t fit well into any stereotype.
Delta Male
Big Five Personality Traits: Extroversion & Agreeableness
The delta male has similar traits as the alpha without the need for social recognition. Often a delta male is an alpha that has given up his top spot; perhaps he retired from a leadership position. He still has the traits of an alpha but no longer feels the need to dominate others.
Sigma Male
Big Five Personality Trait: Conscientiousness
The sigma is unlike all other personality types. He does not need social recognition because he feels completely secure in himself. He’s the lone wolf, strong and confident but introverted too. Some say he’s an introverted extrovert. Yet, he’s successful in whatever he does and can persuade and utilize others well.
Omega Male
Main Big Five Personality Trait: Openness & Conscientiousness
The omega male wants to make his way through life and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about it. He’s introverted, gentle, and not striving for riches; he’s content to do his own thing. Omegas often take on odd life callings or get heavily into a hobby or pastime.
Personality Traits to Spot a sigma male
These are the characteristics of a sigma male. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because someone shows one of these traits they are a sigma. However, if they show many of these traits, you’re likely looking at a sigma male.
He Stays to Himself But Seems Confident and Mysterious
The most common description of the sigma male is the lone wolf. He’s alone because he wants to be, not because others have shunned him. He doesn’t seem shy or awkward, people want to approach him and find out his story, he’s a mystery.
He Follows His Own Rules
The sigma male doesn’t care about societal norms or other people’s expectations; he knows what he wants and is not afraid to go after it. He seems so unobtainable to others because he makes his own rules.
He Works Hard and Owns His Own Business.
Sigma males don’t need to be pushed to work hard, nor do they need responsibilities to drive them to succeed. Instead, they are self-motivated, making them perfect for building businesses. They have the keys to self improvement and strive to be their best.
He’s Confident Without Being Domineering
Sigmas are unwaveringly self-confident. Sigmas don’t need others to make them feel secure and confident. They know who they are and will act the same toward anyone. They don’t fear the alpha and don’t feel the need to dominate the betas.
He’s Successful
The sigma male has all the traits to succeed at whatever he sets his mind to. He’s hardworking, self-motivated, and constantly improving. While others are socializing to satisfy their need to be accepted, he’s alone, working hard to make his dreams come true.
He’s Always Learning New Skills
The sigma male isn’t waiting for someone to help them realize their goals. They’re self-reliant. If they need something, they’ll get it. They learn new skills and constantly improve, becoming less reliant on others.
He Traveled the World Solo
Sigmas are willing to go out on their own to have the experiences they want. This might mean traveling or moving away to unknown places or becoming a digital slomad. They want to explore, have an adventure and discover things for themselves.
He Feels Drained by Social Interaction.
Unlike the alpha male, the sigma is introverted, which means he prefers to turn inward for his energy. Despite being good at it, too much social interaction drains him. As a result, he’ll often retreat for some alone time after social events.
He Can Lead But Doesn’t Need to
Don’t misunderstand the sigma’s lack of desire to lead. When he wants to, he can turn it on and step up. He is self-aware enough to know why he needs to engage his leadership qualities. He leads to get things done, not because he like the spotlight or being in charge.
He’s a Good Listener
As an introvert, he doesn’t need to dominate a conversation or talk non-stop. Instead, the sigma male is a great listener, he might not be interested in what you have to say, but he’ll listen if it’s worth his time.
He’s a Trendsetter
The sigma male does his thing, and others notice. He can persuade others when he needs to but usually, people gravitate to him without his effort. He’s a trendsetter. His calm, mysterious nature makes others intrigued by his behavior. People want to be like him even though he keeps his distance.
He Doesn’t Care What People Think
He doesn’t need your approval. Unlike the alpha, the sigma male doesn’t care what you think about him or what he does. He’s going to go after his goals regardless of public opinion.
He’s Emotionally Intelligent
Although he’s not a people person, the sigma male isn’t an emotional idiot, either. He doesn’t get riled up easily and can keep calm in most situations because he doesn’t feel intimidated.
He Values His Space and His Freedom
A sigma male doesn’t want to be told what to do and charming as he may be he won’t be dominated. Making his own choices and being responsible to no one is far too important to him.
He’s a Mysterious Stranger
Mysterious and aloof are the typical way most people see sigma males
He’s True to Himself
You never get the sense that a sigma male is putting on a social mask. You can imagine him talking the same way anyway. He stays true to himself because he doesn’t care what others think of him.
He’s Fair
As an introvert and a loner who doesn’t need social recognition, the sigma treats almost everyone equally. A person’s value to a sigma male is not based on their status or appearance. It’s based on their utility. As a result, a sigma male easily travels between social groups whenever needs must.
Adaptable
If he needs to spend a day writing, he will, and if he needs to go out to sell the next day, he’ll do that too. He’s not below doing the grunt work and is willing to learn every aspect of his business. Then, when changes come, the sigma male can quickly regroup and adapt his goals.
He Has a Small Group of Friends
As introverts, sigmas don’t maintain close relationships with large numbers of friends. Instead, they usually keep a tiny group of close friends, maybe just one.
He’s Nonthreatening
Because the sigma male doesn’t think of himself as on top of the social hierarchy, he doesn’t need to defend his position. Unlike the alpha male, the sigma comes across as non-threatening. He talks to you not because he wants you to submit but to utilize your value.
Sigma vs. Alpha
In terms of power, the sigma male is the only personality that poses a real threat to the alpha. While the sigma gains his confidence and capability from competence and sheer will, the alpha gains it from dominating others.
How to tell them apart? The alpha prefers to be surrounded by underlings, while the sigma prefers to be alone.
Sigma vs. Beta
Beta males are attracted to sigmas, much like they are attracted to alphas. The main difference is that the sigma doesn’t want to dominate the beta or make him submit. He doesn’t want anything to do with the beta other than any working relationship they may have.
Sigma vs. Gamma
The sigma and gamma males are bound to cross paths, neither one taking the route that society expects, the difference between them is that while the gamma is happy to live an easy but alternative life, the sigma is striving for success.
Sigma vs. Delta
The most difficult personalities to separate are the delta and sigma males. Neither wants the spotlight, and yet both are strong personality types. The main difference is that the delta, as a retired alpha, still feels the need for social acceptance. The delta, therefore, is alone but feels lonely, whereas the sigma does not.
Sigma vs. Omega
Sigmas and Omegas rarely cross paths, they are both on their tracks, and neither feels the need to invite others needlessly into their lives.
You can easily tell a sigma and an omega apart because though both are introverted, the sigma still has a strong presence whereas the omega doesn’t.
Sigma in Relationships
Because sigma males don’t crave interaction and can require extended periods alone to recharge, relationships with them can be complicated. However, if both parties understand the needs of the sigma male, a relationship with him can be one of the most secure of all the socio-sexual hierarchy.
Famous Sigma Males
See the characteristics above in these celebrity sigma male examples.
Elon Musk
One of the most hard-working people of our generation, Elon Musk is introverted at heart and even awkward in some interviews. He is doing his own thing and is highly successful, all keys which point to him being a sigma male.
Pewdipie
While everyone else is buying expensive cameras and creating epic B-rolls, Pewdipie is seemingly still making videos with a junky webcam in his studio bedroom. How does this make him a sigma? Because he’s killing it! With more subscribers than any other individual YouTuber, he’s doing his own thing.
Steve Jobs
While everyone in the industry was creating incremental improvements, Jobs was going his own way, creating world-revolutionizing new products. The iPhone, iPad, and iPod are testimony to a sigma male who didn’t care what the world thought.
Keanu Reeves
Reeves certainly doesn’t give off alpha male vibes, he seems secure in who he is and doesn’t need outside validation. He does have introverted tendencies and is highly successful even when treading a new path, such as directing Man of Tai Chi.
