An alpha male displays confidence in a quiet, but noticeable manner.What about a beta male?
Beta Male Characteristics:
1) Nervousness in the hands
This can include: * playing with items * hiding his hands * twiddling with his fingers
[A recent radio interview pic does show Richard twirling what looks like a pencil or long pen of some sort, but in tv interviews his arms are relaxed on back of the chair]
There are a couple photos that show him with at least one hand concealed but I don't think anyone would characterize the stances as 'beta' male
A beta male is somebody who is constantly seeking approval from other people. He’s the guy who tells jokes to get people to like him. Or he’s the guy who works hard to make people like him. All of his behaviors display a nature to get permission to do ALL things in his life.
[Any man who says he didn't "miss anything" about home while away for 5mos, IMO, could not be characterized as 'seeking approval' - especially not when the man had a personal relationship prior to the journey. Any guy who's the least bit intimidated by a female, would've heard a siren go off in his head when asked "what did you miss about home?" and wisely answer at least...'naturally I missed someone.'] As another example - DH constantly tells jokes and teases people but he'd qualify somehwere around 7 on the alpha scale if 1 was almost beta, and 10 was a caricature like Rambo or Wolverine]
3) Following others
Another beta male characteristic is to look to others for guidance and self respect. In a social setting, he’s the guy who is constantly following the trends as a way to fit in and become cool. In essence, he has no personality of his own. Instead he looks to his friends and television to define who he is as a guy.
4) They’re often passive in bed.
Alpha Male Characteristics
1) An alpha male is a man who is confident and assured of himself.
2) They are generally unpredictable. This trait attracts many women. [I believe his statement that a passionate wkend for him is DIY, would qualify as unpredictable. After working 12 or more hours a day, a more predictable person would crave unwinding in a pool or taking a brief, relaxing trip with a special someone]
What being unpredictable really means is doing things that she least expects. It can be sending her a nice email or a card on a random day of the week. It can also be taking her out on a romantic date where she least expects to go. He knows how to have fun and keep her guessing what he’ll do next. [Apparently he kept her guessing if he would ever call from No Africa:)]
3) They are comfortable around all women - open and sociable. A man may have tons of knowledge and techniques on how to attract women, but if he never opens up and talks, it will all be wasted. Alpha men break out from their comfort zone and meet new people. [One thing that has always struck me as interesting is the fact that early on most of Richard's tv projects were directed and/or produced by women - I'd say he's very comfortable in their company.]
4) Alpha men love themselves as well as others
Besides knowing how to take care of others, especially women, an alpha male knows how to take care of himself. They keep themselves fit and healthy. An alpha knows his body best, and hence exercises regularly and has a balanced diet. They also take care of their looks, regularly updating their appearance. This is to ensure that they feel and look their best when necessary. [We've all enjoyed the stunning proof of his dedicated fitness regime]
What is your opinion? Does RA seem to fulfill more of the 'beta' or 'alpha' male characteristics? Was his handling of the "Are you more an alpha male?" question an artful way for him to keep all options open as far as offers of future dramatic roles? Did he cleverly make certain doors would not close, and he'd not be type cast as solely an action hero? See poll:)
10 comments:
Court´s response:
Beta Male.
1. Nervousness in hands. Court agrees with given proof.
2. Approval seeking. Court has evidence 1. that he told jokes during RH-filming, 2. said he worked hard, 3. and found it hard to say no to work.
3. Following others. Court found quotes of him saying he didn´t know what to wear and that his dress sense was bad. He is seen in Spooks clothing most of the times. Recent evidence he got dressed in D&G should be praised. Further quotes that he has a conservative taste of carbrand and ´trying LA because one should´ are proof enough for the Court.
4. Passive in bed. Court found no real evidence, acting does not equal faking.
Alpha male.
1. Self confidence. Court found evidence that this is growing with work experience.
2. Unpredictable behavior. Court found no sufficient or insufficient evidence. DIY doesn´t fall under that category.
3. Comfortable around women. Court found no sufficient or insufficient evidence. We accept the proof given.
$. Equal selflove as well as others. Court agrees that grooming and bodysculpturing are sufficient proof of showing love for others.
Conclusion: he plays Alpha Male characters, but is self mostly Beta Male as actors are. Otherwise he had a job as manager. One can learn.
The Court´s decision: Beta Male
Court has one final question: what´s the source of your analysis?
Hi Violet, great analysis of the evidence so far placed before the court, but I'm not yet finished;) I agree actors deliberately keep in touch with their inner selves as a resource for creating dissimilar characters, but that in my estimation does not make them exclusively beta men.
Example: DH is not an actor however he's definitely an alpha male with a more sensitive side as well. His personality is composed of what for me is a heady mix of emotional characteristics that present to the world a confident alpha male. He regularly demonstrates leadership qualities formed at an early age and subsequently more thoroughly developed out of professional necessity---definitely has always had pride in his personal appearance---also the ability to show empathy to and a comfortable demeanor with females(another long-time job requirement).
He's also an avid reader, preferring the more male oriented historical action genre such as the Patrick O'Brien series Captains and Commanders. Quite often he has classical music playing in the background while reading the derring do of Civil War generals or spies like Jason Bourne. On the other hand, he's always up for an in-depth philosophical discussion re the meaning of life, religion, female vs male issues like child-rearing theories.
Won't get into his more personal alpha male skills other than to say he's certainly never been passive;)...well, actually sometimes...oh, never mind - we won't go there. LOL
Suppose my point is that an actor can be an alpha male at the core, and still retain the more sensitive emotional qualities required for his chosen livelihood. Source was a reading of several different websites providing their descriptions of alpha vs beta males.
I think Richard is a mixture of both alpha and beta to be honest. If you notice his earliest interview which appears on the DVD of N&S he appeared extremely nervous and shy. He's obviously honed his interview skills since then and has improved an awful lot, although you can glimpse the odd bit of self- consciousness about him, he just learns to hide it better these days.
I also think Richard likes the sound of his description as being a "DIY geek", but I doubt it he's been down on his knees sanding any floors lately (shame that's a sight I wouldn't mind seeing!). It's a way of reminding us that he's just an ordinary every-day guy (not!).
Nobody is a 100% any particular type of person, we are usually a mixture of everything (well I certainly am anyway!).
I can't for the life of me imagine Richard knocking back pints in a pub and playing a game of darts. I reckon he is more of a wine bar kind of guy these days (been in London too long and picked up some bad habits I'd say!)
I think Richard probably likes to flirt a little with the ladies but when it comes to it he'd probably run a mile if a woman came on to him really strong. (He'd probably exit via the window in the gents pronto in fact!)
Anyhow I've just had an email from Amazon saying my DVD of Strike Back is on it's way to yours truly! It's not supposed to be released until the 7th so it must be being sent early, luvverley!!!
Going back to that glimpse of the assorted bums (including Richard's) you know where they are all lined up in their altogether (well almost). Am I the only one to notice that most of the inmates seemed to have been wearing Calvin Kline undies? Are all prisoners issued with Calvin Klines as part of a new torture technique perhap? The mind boggles (well mine does!).
Sue, I agree Richard's definitely a mixture BUT which one actually predominates? If he truly engages in DIY, that points to enjoying the age-old bastion of males - screwdrivers, hammers, sanding tools etc. That penchant is not unusual among high-powered execs either. We know a bank president who considers hammering nails all wkend the perfect antidote to smoozing deep pocketed potential customers at gourmet restaurants during the week. The same man has the walls of his victorian attic home office(restored by him on wkends) filled w/pics of naked women;)
On Sat he delicately restores the detailed woodwork in his home or referees teen swim-meets, and then goes fishing on Sun. Another blended alpha/beta...although predominantly alpha.
That's why the question is so intriguing--which predominates at the core in RA? Doesn't he take pains to paint himself as an artistic new man(after playing the action hero) and a growllling male(Sir Guy) after Monet?
It appears deliberately designed so as not to be typecast and thereby lose roles on the opposite end of the male spectrum. His intelligence manages to keep his goals focused in that area during interviews.
"If he truly engages in DIY, that points to enjoying the age-old bastion of males - screwdrivers, hammers, sanding tools"
I'm not sure that DIY his still a bastion of males anymore, certainly not in my house anyway. I'd give Richard a good run for his money in the DIY stakes. When I was 21 my dad gave me his old Vauxhall Viva car for my birthday (skinflint!) and it was a real rust-bucket but it didn't stop me doing up the bodywork myself(thinking of Richard's bodywork longingly here!)and changing the oil etc.(Pretty handy with the old dip-stick actually, she said thinking of Richard again!)I think it's more likely that Richard has a dad that is useful around the house and has been brought up around DIY (of course I could be wrong, it has been known, not often I know!).
I agree his does tend to guide the interviewer in the direction he wants them to go in these days.
If I had to choose I think I would put him in the beta male category who aspires to be an alpha one day.
'dip stick' - naughty, naughty;) He'd enjoy that.
Good point Sue. Everyone evolves emotionally over time. Perhaps each new role moved him further along from beta to alpha.
I do recall RA stating up to that point Harry Kennedy was the character closest to his RL personality. But that was pre-Lucas North & John Porter. The last role seems to have him seeking to carve out a soft-hearted action hero role somewhere on the globe. The lead in The Avengers type series would be great for him.
Another thought about Harry Kennedy - his ladylove was a slightly naughty female who appeared to enjoy food, and has a great sense of humor. Too bad Dawn was taken;)
Well, JT and GoG are both alpha males in my book. RA is a great actor, who cares what he is like in real life.
Hi judith,
Should we scrap all the candid RA pics supporters have feverishly captured when given the opportunity?;)
IMHO, there are times when admitting we're simply human is wiser than trying to apply intellectual objectivity to the situation. An observation over the past 18mos - once RA fever hits, the majority of females do indeed care about all the details...whether they like it or not';)
I think the fact that Richard plays such a diverse range of characters makes you wonder just what the man himself is really like. Only human surely?
It depends on a man whether he choose to be an alpha or a beta male.
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