jealous

Jealousy is a complex emotional response characterized by insecurity, fear of loss, or perceived threat to a valued relationship or status, often accompanied by anger, sadness, or suspicion. It can arise when a person perceives a rival or competing interest, whether real or imagined, and may involve concerns about fidelity, loyalty, or attention.

The term jealousy comes from Old French jalousie, ultimately from Latin zelus meaning zeal. In everyday language it describes competing loyalties or protective emotions that arise when someone fears losing something valued to another.

Psychologically, jealousy is viewed as a normal yet potentially maladaptive emotion. It may reflect attachment style, insecurity, or past experiences. Cognitive biases, such as attribution errors, can amplify perceived threats. Jealousy can manifest in thoughts, emotions, and actions, including suspicion, monitoring behavior, or controlling tendencies.

Context matters for its expression. Romantic jealousy is common in intimate relationships; parental jealousy may concern rival affection from a child; in workplaces, jealousy may relate to competition or recognition. Triggers can be actual events, such as a partner’s flirting, or uncertainty about another’s feelings. Online environments and social media can intensify jealous reactions by increasing perceived visibility of rivals.

Consequences and management vary with intensity. Frequent or intense jealousy can strain relationships and reduce well-being. Coping strategies include open communication, articulating needs, building trust, setting boundaries, and seeking therapy or counseling if needed. Some theories acknowledge a potential protective or motivating function in limited cases, but excessive jealousy is generally linked to negative outcomes.