Yep. David Mech is the one who basically coined the term “alpha wolf” based on an early study, and has since spent years of his career retracting that theory and explaining that male wolves do not fight for dominance in nature.

[–] AlphaOmega@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Yes. This is why when someone tells you they're an alpha male, you know they are really just an idiot

[–] mriswith@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

In the original studies they threw a bunch of adult wolves from different packs into a small enclosure. Then reported the fight for dominance as if it was how they normally act in nature. Most packs in nature are just a mom and a dad with kids from the last 2-3 years, who usually leave on their own.