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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–5Cite as

Jealousy

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Synonyms

Emotional jealousy; Male sexual jealousy; Platonic jealousy; Sexual jealousy

Definition

Jealousy is a cognitive or emotional response of insecurity or inferiority that occurs when there is a perceived threat to a valued social relationship, resulting in actions that mitigate the threat.

Introduction

Jealousy refers to a cognitive or emotional response of insecurity or inferiority that occurs when there is a perceived threat to a valued social relationship, resulting in actions that mitigate the threat. Different types of jealousy are based on different contexts under which threats to relationships occur, including intimate relationships, siblings, rivals, friends, and peers.

Sexual and Emotional Jealousy

Sexual and emotional jealousy within romantic relationships seems to have evolved in response to conflicting interests between the sexes. Due to concealed ovulation, men faced uncertain paternity and the possible investment in their rival’s offspring, known as cuckoldry risk....

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Westfield State University, Westfield, MA, USA

    Brian J. Kochanowski & Joseph A. Camilleri

Authors
  1. Brian J. Kochanowski
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  2. Joseph A. Camilleri
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph A. Camilleri .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, MI, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Westfield State University, Westfield, MA, USA

    Joseph A. Camilleri

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Kochanowski, B.J., Camilleri, J.A. (2019). Jealousy. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2028-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2028-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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