I wonder if there is an evolutionary origin. Let’s play with it., using generalities, of course. Mathematically a genetic trait only needs to offer a 5% reproductive advantage to outnumber the other trait holders by 4 times in 25 generations. (I remember that number from somewhere. One of the mathematicians here can verify it. )
In general, females pick the more successful Alpha males as mating partners. (Proven to continue today from the work by Dubner, Levitt) That leaves others, the Betas, in need of mates.
They can go about life 2 ways:
Beta 1 can recognize that Alpha is totally better and earned his position, and resign himself to his fate of no sex.
Beta 2 figures that Alpha was just lucky and no better than Beta 2 so he stands tall and figures it is just a matter of time before he finds a mate as well.
Beta females look at B1 and B2 and pick a mate. Which do they pick: the depressed, resigned to failure one, or the confident one who figures he is just as good as Alpha and will be a success one day? If that choice produces only a 5% reproductive advantage, in 25 generations, 500 years, that trait will be ingrained in 80% of the population.