Jealousy

Jealousy is an emotion that arises when a person perceives a threat to a valued relationship or to its exclusivity, status, or attention. It typically involves a mixture of fear, anger, sadness, and insecurity, and can motivate protective or controlling responses. In contrast to envy, which is longing for something another person has, jealousy centers on the fear of losing a relationship or reputation to a rival.

Jealousy occurs in various contexts, including romantic partnerships, family dynamics, friendships, and workplaces. Romantic jealousy is the most commonly studied form, but jealousy can also arise in parent–child, sibling, or social situations. Researchers often describe jealousy as triadic: the person experiencing jealousy, the loved one, and a perceived rival.

Causes of jealousy include individual factors such as attachment style, self-esteem, and past experiences of betrayal, as well as relationship dynamics like communication patterns and trust. Cultural norms regarding ownership, male or female roles, and expectations for exclusivity can also influence its intensity and expression.

Consequences of jealousy range from adaptive to harmful. It can encourage vigilance, reassurance, and boundary setting, but it often contributes to conflict, controlling behavior, verbal or physical aggression, withdrawal, or relationship dissatisfaction if unmanaged.

In research and culture, jealousy is recognized across many societies and assessed using various scales that examine cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components. Understanding jealousy involves considering personal history, relationship context, and broader social norms, all of which shape how the emotion is experienced and expressed.