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'''Alpha/Beta/Omega''' or '''Alpha/Omega''' (occasionally '''Alpha/Beta''' '''Beta/Omega''') is a [[kink]] [[trope]] wherein some people have defined biological roles based on a [[Dominance Hierarchy|hierarchical system]]. The terms were borrowed from older behavior research on captive wolves that had been misappropriated by popular culture, but do not reflect current animal behaviour research.<ref>[https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/biology-and-behavior] Basics of wolf biology and behavior.</ref> Fanworks using this trope may involve [[werewolf]], [[knotting]], or other animalistic elements, or the characters may be otherwise purely human.

'''Alpha/Beta/Omega''' or '''Alpha/Omega''' (occasionally '''Alpha/Beta''' '''Beta/Omega''') is a [[kink]] [[trope]] wherein some people have defined biological roles based on a [[Dominance Hierarchy|hierarchical system]]. The terms were borrowed from older behavior research on captive wolves that had been misappropriated by popular culture, but do not reflect current wolf behaviour research.<ref>[https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/biology-and-behavior] Basics of wolf biology and behavior.</ref> Fanworks using this trope may involve [[werewolf]], [[knotting]], or other animalistic elements, or the characters may be otherwise purely human.

The term is generally written with slashes (a/b/o). Many fans, particularly ones from Australia and New Zealand, are uncomfortable seeing the term without slashes because it is also an Australian slur for aboriginal people.<ref>[https://twitter.com/fairestcat/status/1264276111644557319] fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/tomatocarnage/status/1264583900728180736?s=20] tomatocarnage replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 24, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/lydia_petze/status/1264354720228864000?s=20] lydia_petze replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref>

The term is generally written with slashes (a/b/o). Many fans, particularly ones from Australia and New Zealand, are uncomfortable seeing the term without slashes because it is also an Australian slur for aboriginal people.<ref>[https://twitter.com/fairestcat/status/1264276111644557319] fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/tomatocarnage/status/1264583900728180736?s=20] tomatocarnage replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 24, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/lydia_petze/status/1264354720228864000?s=20] lydia_petze replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref>

'''Alphas''' are able to impregnate Omegas. Alphas are often (but not always) "dominant" in some fashion (depending on the worldbuilding of the specific story). Male Alphas usually have a [[knotting|knot]] when aroused. In some works, female Alphas are also able to impregnate others; some will temporarily grow a penis to do so, or their vulva will permanently grow into one when they present.

'''Alphas''' are able to impregnate Omegas. Alphas are often (but not always) "dominant" in some fashion (depending on the worldbuilding of the specific story). Male Alphas usually have a [[knotting|knot]] when aroused. In some works, female Alphas are also able to impregnate others; some will temporarily grow a penis to do so, or their vulva will permanently grow into one when they present.

'''Betas''' are often presented as having "normal" human anatomy, with none of the special attributes of Alphas or Omegas. They may be the peacemakers between Alphas and Omegas. Depending on the needs of the story, they may or may not be subordinate to Alphas and may or may not be able to impregnate Omegas. In some fanworks Betas aren't present and the trope is known as Alpha/Omega; in others they take the role and functions of Omegas and Omegas aren't present.

'''Betas''' are subordinate to Alphas within the concept of a dominance hierarchy, but depending on the needs of the story, this element may not be included. Betas are often presented as having "normal" human anatomy, with none of the special attributes of Alphas or Omegas. They may be the peacemakers between Alphas and Omegas. Depending on the story they may be able to impregnate Omegas. In some fanworks Betas aren't present and the trope is known as Alpha/Omega; in others they take the role and functions of Omegas and Omegas aren't present.

'''Omegas''' can get pregnant and go into heat. They are generally lowest on the hierarchy (although in some fanworks omegas are rare and prized). Some mangas don't have this hierarchy; their society is just like the actual human world. Male Omegas are self-[[lubrication|lubricating]] and have the ability to become [[Mpreg|pregnant]], sometimes referred to as being bred or mated. In some fanworks Omegas are the most fragile of the hierarchy, with frailer bodies and painful presentations. Male Omegas are especially subject to fertility issues, miscarriages, and difficult pregnancies.

'''Omegas''' can get pregnant and go into heat. They are generally lowest on the hierarchy (although in some fanworks omegas are rare and prized). Some mangas don't have this hierarchy; their society is just like the actual human world. Male Omegas are self-[[lubrication|lubricating]] and have the ability to become [[Mpreg|pregnant]], sometimes referred to as being bred or mated. In some fanworks Omegas are the most fragile of the hierarchy, with frailer bodies and painful presentations. Male Omegas are especially subject to fertility issues, miscarriages, and difficult pregnancies.