Cross-Cultural Aspects of Jealousy

Abstract

Jealousy is a complex emotion but evokes very strong feelings in the ‘sufferer' and the observer. The clinician may come across morbid jealousy more often but the general levels of jealousy and the social ways of dealing with such emotions are important in the presentation and perpetuation of jealousy. Self-esteem in private and self-esteem in public are important in presentation of jealousy. Few studies have been carried out in cross-cultural settings. These suggest that the feelings of jealousy are linked with issues related to property ownership, progeny, pair-bonding and sexual activity. The culture of society is a much more potent variable. This paper reviews various studies which have addressed cross-cultural comparisons and the influence of nuclear family set up vis-à-vis polyandrous and polygynous societies is discussed. A cognitive model of jealousy is described.