Attack of the green-eyed monster: a review of jealousy and envy in small groups

ABSTRACT

Past research on jealousy and envy has focused primarily on dyadic interpersonal relationships; little is known about the perception and expression of such emotions within small groups. The expression of jealousy and envy can impact group dynamics, group outcomes, and interactions between group members. Our review examines literature on jealousy and envy within small groups, uncovering the primary focus of past research, identifying research gaps, and providing recommendations for future research. The social-functional approach to emotions provides a unifying theoretical framework for understanding jealousy and envy in small groups. We encourage future research to focus on bona fide groups, romantic relationships within peer/social groups, consensually non-monogamous and polyamorous romantic relationships, and organizational groups, and to utilize a social comparison perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• Jealousy
• envy
• small groups
• social-functional approach

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.