Jealousy

Theories

Theorists agree that jealousy involves unpleasant feelings, but there is no unanimity on the precise nature of the distress. One possibility is that the feelings commonly referred to as jealousy may be a blend of other emotions such as anger, fear, and sadness. There are two routes by which this could occur: (1) People may simultaneously experience several emotions during a jealous episode, or (2) they may experience a series of different emotions over the course of a single jealousy episode. In the latter case, the emotion felt at any given moment would depend on the aspect of the situation on which the person focused. For example, contemplating the loss of the relationship might elicit sadness, whereas thinking about the partner's dishonesty might elicit anger. It is also possible that jealousy is a unique emotional state that produces its own distinct feelings and behaviors that differ from other emotions such as fear and anger.

Development

Signs of jealousy have been found in children as young as 6 months when their mothers directed attention to what appeared to be another baby. This suggests that at least some primitive forms of jealousy can be elicited without complex thoughts. However, with cognitive development, the triggers for jealousy become more sophisticated. For example, one study found that 4-year-old children showed [Page 442]more jealousy when their mothers interacted with a similar-aged peer than when she interacted with an infant. Jealousy in younger infants was not affected by the rival's age. Thus, it appears that over the course of development, an individual's appraisals of the nature and meaning of the interactions between the rival and the loved one become increasingly important in the elicitation of jealousy.

Social-cognitive theorists have focused on two general factors that cause a loved one's involvement with another to be particularly upsetting: (a) when it reduces benefits obtained from the primary relationship, and (b) when it threatens some aspect of a person's self-concept or self-esteem. People ponder the meaning and ramifications of their loved one's relationship to the rival—“Will my partner stop giving me time and attention?” and “What does this mean about me? Am I unattractive or unlovable?” Conclusions that people draw from such questions affect the intensity and nature of their jealousy.

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