RESUMO
Existing research suggests a number of both costs and benefits to oneself that can occur as a result of partners' other relationships in consensual nonmonogamy (CNM), but such costs and benefits have not previously been systematically cataloged. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we present themes derived from semi-structured interviews with 51 individuals (63% white, 55% nonbinary/genderqueer/non-cisgendered, and 77% LGBQ) who have practiced CNM, describing the costs and benefits to themselves that they perceive as a result of their partners' other relationships. Themes describing costs include experiencing difficult feelings (e.g., jealousy), having less with a partner (e.g., less of a partner's time) than one would like, difficulties or conflict within one's own relationship, and difficulties or conflict as a result of interactions between metamours (individuals who share a partner). Themes describing benefits include experiencing positive feelings (e.g., compersion), benefiting from a partner getting needs met in other relationships, strengthening of or pleasurable interactions within one's own relationship, enjoyable or beneficial relationships or interactions between metamours, and personal growth as a result of sharing partners with others. We note that these costs and benefits roughly mirror each other, suggesting that they may reflect the positive and negative sides of some fundamental aspects of CNM. Each of our themes also contains a rich range of elements that suggest avenues for future research. Our results suggest that CNM relationships are complex and multi-faceted, and that further research could fruitfully examine the circumstances that influence whether individuals experience their partners' other relationships positively or negatively.
Assuntos
Comportamento Sexual , Parceiros Sexuais , Humanos , Ciúme , EmoçõesRESUMO
This quantitative study tested hypotheses derived from a previous qualitative study of the factors that facilitated and hindered compersion (the positive feelings derived from one's partner's intimate relations with others) in consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships. A total of 255 participants recruited from online CNM and Alt-Sex communities reported on demographic and relationship characteristics as well as individual, relationship, and metamour-related variables in an online anonymous survey. In Flicker et al. (2022), we identified various factors that predicted three subtypes of compersion: contentment with one's partner's relationships with established metamours (intimate partners of one's partners), excitement sparked by one's partner's new/potentially new intimate connections, and sexual excitement elicited by thinking about one's partner with another person. The current findings were consistent with the Flicker et al. qualitative study, with some hypotheses from the previous study more strongly supported than others. The predictors of compersion most strongly supported by the current data include closeness with one's metamour and knowledge about the partner/metamour relationship, in a positive direction, as well as jealousy, envy, and attachment anxiety, in a negative direction. Individual-level predictors were weak predictors of compersion. The sexual arousal subtype of compersion was weakly endorsed by the current sample and predictors of this subtype were distinct from predictors of the other subtypes of compersion. The findings suggest that the development of new interventions that target reducing jealousy and envy and increasing attachment security within the unique context of CNM relationships could have the added benefit of increasing compersion. The development of these interventions stands to benefit a growing population of individuals involved in CNM relationships.
Assuntos
Felicidade , Comportamento Sexual , Humanos , Parceiros Sexuais , Ciúme , Casamento , Relações InterpessoaisRESUMO
Polyamory is a relationship style in which partners consensually agree to engage in sexual and/or emotional relationships with concurrent partners. Compared with other forms of consensual non-monogamy (CNM), polyamory practitioners tend to report greater relationship satisfaction and less jealousy. However, the unique motivations leading people to engage with polyamory are less understood. Previous research has examined motivations for engaging in CNM relationship styles, in general, but no research has focused exclusively on the motivations of polyamory practitioners. The present study draws on the open-ended responses of 63 U.S. American adults who reported previous or current engagement in at least one consensually polyamorous relationship. Thematic analyses revealed four themes guiding participants' initial motivations for polyamory engagement: values alignment, relationship factors, external triggers, and sexuality. The study's themes are discussed in the context of self-determination theory and situated in the existing body of CNM and polyamory research. Directions for future research provide next steps for examining outcomes associated with specific polyamory motivations.
Assuntos
Motivação , Parceiros Sexuais , Adulto , Humanos , Parceiros Sexuais/psicologia , Comportamento Sexual/psicologia , Ciúme , SexualidadeRESUMO
The modern pace of life, increased susceptibility to stressors, and easy access to psychoactive substances have contributed to the increase in the number of people addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism has serious and life-threatening consequences, one of which is brain damage causing morbid jealousy, otherwise known as Othello syndrome. The disease, currently classified as a subtype of delusional disorder, manifests itself in groundless and dangerous judgments about a partner's sexual infidelity. People with Othello syndrome constantly believe in their partner's infidelity despite inadequate evidence of it. Patients become aggressive toward their partners as well as themselves, which is why in a fit of anger they can commit murder or suicide. Othello syndrome can occur as a symptom of an underlying mental illness, but it is most often associated with brain damage caused by chronic alcohol use. Antipsychotic drugs and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used in pharmacotherapy. Targeted treatment using the neuropeptide oxytocin, which modulates the transmitter systems responsible for disease symptoms, is also being considered. The use of oxytocin seems groundbreaking, but it remains at the research stage. The treatment of addictions and primary diseases, as well as long-term cognitive-analytic psychotherapy, also have a huge impact. Othello syndrome is a life-threatening disease with an insidious course and serious consequences. This article aims to review the manifestations of morbid jealousy, including delusional disorder, and the association with alcoholism.
Assuntos
Alcoolismo , Ciúme , Humanos , Alcoolismo/complicações , Delusões/etiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Subjective well-being, an important index for measuring mental health, is presently declining among junior high school students. Envy, one of their common emotions, is inextricably linked to subjective well-being. Based on the Dual Envy Theory, our research explores the bidirectional relationship between benign-malicious envy and subjective well-being. The mediating role of self-esteem, as well as the related gender differences, is examined. METHODS: Chinese middle school students (n = 1566, boys 50.3%, age = 13.96 ± 0.88 years old) were assessed at two time points over a 3-month interval. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the longitudinal relationships among the variables. RESULTS: (1) Cross-lagged analysis showed a positive bidirectional relationship between benign envy and subjective well-being and a negative bidirectional relationship between malicious envy and subjective well-being in the total sample. However, the path from T1 subjective well-being to T2 malicious envy in boys was not significant. (2) Self-esteem mediated the relationship between both benign and malicious envy and subjective well-being among both boys and girls. A Wald chi-square test showed that T2 self-esteem was a stronger predictor of T2 benign envy in boys than in girls. CONCLUSION: The results reveal a virtuous cycle of benign envy and subjective well-being, and a vicious cycle of malicious envy and subjective well-being, while emphasizing the role of self-esteem in this process. Gender differences were also noted. These findings have important implications for improving the subjective well-being of secondary school students and exploring the positive effects of envy.
Assuntos
Autoimagem , Humanos , Masculino , Adolescente , Feminino , Ciúme , China , Satisfação Pessoal , Fatores Sexuais , Estudantes/psicologia , Estudantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos LongitudinaisRESUMO
Using a prototype approach to emotion concepts, we mapped the internal structure and content of the everyday concept of envy (as used in the United States) and its translation equivalents of envidia in Spanish and Neid in German. In Study 1 (total N = 415), the features of the concept of envy, envidia, and Neid were generated via an open-ended questionnaire. In Study 2 (total N = 404), participants rated the degree of typicality of the constitutive features on a forced-choice questionnaire. The prototype analysis of envy, supplemented with network analyses, revealed that the largest connected set of features of envy, envidia, and Neid shared a group of central features, including features related to success or to people with a better appearance. Still, envy, envidia, and Neid did differ with respect to their constituent peripheral features as well as the density of their networks, their structure, and the betweenness centrality of the nodes. These results suggest that a prototype approach combined with network analysis is a convenient approach for studying the internal structure of everyday emotion concepts and the degree of overlap with respect to the translation equivalents in different countries.
Assuntos
Comparação Transcultural , Humanos , Alemanha , Espanha , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Estados Unidos , Adulto Jovem , Ciúme , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Emoções/fisiologia , Adolescente , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
This research assesses violence in university students couples from Argentina and Ecuador. It focuses on its association with jealousy and other variables. Seven hundred and fourteen students (528 from the National University of La Plata, Argentina, and 186 students from the University of Cuenca, Ecuador) were surveyed using a cross cutting design. The measures used were Conflict in Adolescents Dating Relationships Inventory, Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, and other ad hoc methods related to faithfulness, substance use, and stress during dating relationship. A predominance of verbal/emotional violence was found, and 3.8% of the participants had high values in total abuse and more than half reported having committed at least one physical act against his/her partner. In a logistic regression model, it was also verified that belonging to the group of high violence was positive and significantly associated with factors behavioral jealousy, cognitive jealousy, stress and substance use and negative and significantly associated with the age at the beginning of the relationship.
En esta investigación se dimensiona comparativamente la violencia en parejas de estudiantes de nivel universitario de la Argentina y de Ecuador y se explora la asociación con los celos y otras covariables teóricamente relevantes mediante análisis multivariado. Con un diseño de corte transversal se encuestaron 714 estudiantes (528 de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, y 186 de Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Conflict in Adolescents Dating Relationships Inventory, la Multidimensional Jealousy Scale e items ad hoc sobre fidelidad, consumo de sustancias y estrés durante la relación de pareja. Si bien se halló un predominio de la violencia verbal/emocional, el 3,8 % de los participantes alcanzó alto valor en la medida de abuso total cometido y más de la mitad informó haber cometido, por lo menos, un acto violento físico durante la relación índice. En modelo de regresión logística se verificó que la condición de pertenecer al grupo de alta violencia se asoció positiva y significativamente con los factores celos comportamentales, celos cognitivos,estrés y consumo de sustancias, y negativa y significativamente con la edad al comienzo de la relación.
Assuntos
Violência por Parceiro Íntimo , Estudantes , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Estudos Transversais , Universidades , Estudantes/psicologia , Adulto Jovem , Equador , Adolescente , Argentina , Violência por Parceiro Íntimo/psicologia , Violência por Parceiro Íntimo/estatística & dados numéricos , Agressão/psicologia , Adulto , CiúmeRESUMO
Social emotions are critical to successfully navigate in a complex social world because they promote self-regulation of behaviour. Difficulties in social behaviour are at the core of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, social emotions and their neural correlates have been scarcely investigated in this population. In particular, the experience of envy has not been addressed in ASD despite involving neurocognitive processes crucially compromised in this condition. Here, we used an fMRI adapted version of a well-validated task to investigate the subjective experience of envy and its neural correlates in adults with ASD (n = 30) in comparison with neurotypical controls (n = 28). Results revealed that both groups reported similarly intense experience of envy in association with canonical activation in the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula, among other regions. However, in participants with ASD, the experience of envy was accompanied by overactivation of the posterior insula, the postcentral gyrus and the posterior superior temporal gyrus, regions subserving the processing of painful experiences and mentalizing. This pattern of results suggests that individuals with ASD may use compensatory strategies based on the embodied amplification of pain and additional mentalizing efforts to shape their subjective experience of envy. Results have relevant implications to better understand the heterogeneity of this condition and to develop new intervention targets.
Assuntos
Transtorno do Espectro Autista , Transtorno Autístico , Adulto , Humanos , Ciúme , Transtorno Autístico/diagnóstico por imagem , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/diagnóstico por imagem , Mapeamento Encefálico/métodos , Lobo Temporal/diagnóstico por imagem , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , DorRESUMO
Jealousy is a social emotion that manifests as behavioral reactions from an individual toward a threat to a valuable relationship. Monogamous species exhibit jealousy-type behaviors as an adaptive response to preserve the relationship. Jealousy is also a complex, negatively-valenced emotion which may include fear of loss, anxiety, suspiciousness, and anger. Negative emotion may impair cognitive processes such as cognitive flexibility, an ability important for coping with new situations. However, little is known about how complex social emotions influence cognitive flexibility. To understand the interaction between jealousy and cognitive flexibility, we examined the neural, physiological, and behavioral factors involved in jealousy and cognitive flexibility in female titi monkeys. We presented subjects with a jealousy provoking scenario, followed by a reversal learning task and a PET scan with a glucose-analog radiotracer. We found that female titi monkeys reacted to a jealousy provoking scenario with increased locomotor behavior and higher glucose uptake in the cerebellum; however, hormone measures and were not affected. As only two females demonstrated cognitive flexibility, the effects of jealousy were difficult to interpret. Locomotion behavior was also negatively correlated with glucose uptake in brain areas linked with motivation, sociality, and cognitive flexibility. Surprisingly, glucose uptake in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) was significantly decreased during jealousy scenarios, while uptake in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was decreased during reversal tasks. Our findings suggest that the presence of an intruder produces less visible behavioral reactions in female titis than in males, while still reducing activity in the OFC.
Assuntos
Callicebus , Ciúme , Masculino , Animais , Feminino , Emoções , Glucose , CogniçãoRESUMO
Psychopathic men sometimes direct sexual aggression toward prospective female partners (e.g., using sexually aggressive behavior on a first date) and such behavior may be indicative of a high mating effort strategy. Less research has investigated the role of psychopathy in men's use of sexually coercive behaviors in their intimate relationships (e.g., sexual aggression directed toward one's long-term romantic partner) or the relationship processes that might facilitate such behavior. The present study surveyed 143 heterosexual dyads to assess men's psychopathic traits and their relation to self-reports and partner-reports of men's jealousy and partner sexual coercion. Results across informant models showed that men's psychopathy was associated with higher suspicious jealousy and partner sexual coercion. Suspicious jealousy also indirectly linked men's psychopathic traits with engaging in partner sexual coercion. The findings provide novel insights using dyadic data and suggest that both psychopathy and jealousy are important for men's engagement in partner sexual coercion.
Assuntos
Coerção , Ciúme , Masculino , Humanos , Feminino , Estudos Prospectivos , Comportamento Sexual , Homens , Parceiros SexuaisRESUMO
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can have negative consequences for men and their intimate partners. The purpose of the present research was to replicate and extend the results of previous studies concerning the connections that ED has with partner-directed behaviors using a sample of heterosexual romantic couples. Specifically, we used an actor-partner interdependence mediation model to examine whether the associations that ED had with men's mate retention behaviors, partner-directed insults, partner-directed violence, and partner-inflicted injuries were mediated by suspicious jealousy, but not reactive jealousy. These associations were examined in 113 romantic couples, using men's self-reports, and partner-reports provided by their female partners. Results indicated that suspicious jealousy (but not reactive jealousy) mediated the associations that ED had with men's use of partner-directed behaviors, such that higher levels of ED were associated with men experiencing more suspicious jealousy, which, in turn, was associated with more cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors, benefit-provisioning mate retention behaviors, partner-directed insults, partner-directed violence, and partner-inflicted injury. However, there were some discrepancies between the reports provided by men and women such that these associations emerged more consistently in the partner-reports provided by women than in the self-reports provided by men. Discussion addresses evolutionary implications of these findings, as well as limitations of this research and directions for research concerning ED.
Assuntos
Disfunção Erétil , Heterossexualidade , Masculino , Humanos , Feminino , Ciúme , Comportamento Sexual , Parceiros SexuaisRESUMO
This chapter analyses the concept of jealousy (as different from envy) in romantic and sexual relationships. It demonstrates that jealousy is both logically and empirically untenable, as it is: (1) a self-contradictory emotion; (2) a self-destructive activity. As to (1) feelings of jealousy are incompatible with true care for the well-being and satisfaction of the loved partner. Logically, the notion of jealousy is self-defeating: it professes to be an expression of love while at the same time forbidding the loved one the freedom to act autonomously, thus killing the very notion of love. As to (2) nearly all empirical data point to the destructive effects to relationships of the feeling of jealousy, Shakespeare's Othello being its archetypal expression and its scathing analysis. The astounding fact, however, is that in many (most?) cultures jealousy is seen as an expression of love, while in reality it is an emanation of possessive feeling void of affection for the person 'loved'. A thorough cultural analysis, coupled to recently available DNA analyses, however, reveal a wholly different picture of extra-pair offspring, fully undermining the foundations upon which the notion of jealousy if based. Recent developments like 'open relationships' and 'polyamory' may be signs of overthrowing the contradictory and destructive aspects of jealousy. They presuppose, however, to undo deeply ingrained social attitudes accompanying love relationships.
Assuntos
Relações Interpessoais , Ciúme , Humanos , Amor , Emoções , Satisfação PessoalRESUMO
In the present study, five experiments (N = 233) were designed to explore whether sourness as a sensory experience could implicitly impact social emotions of envy and jealousy in Chinese culture. Experiment 1 (n = 63) explored the implicit conceptual association between sourness words (vs. bitterness words) and envy/jealousy words. Experiment 2 (n = 70) and 3 (n = 20) examined the priming effects of imagined and tasted sourness (vs. bitterness and sweetness) on self-rated emotional intensity in envy- and jealousy-arousing situations, respectively. Experiment 4 (n = 40) and 5 (n = 40) further testified the priming effects of imagined and tasted sourness (vs. bitterness and sweetness) on self-rated emotional intensity in four types of social situations (i.e., envy, jealousy, sad and happy events), respectively. In the results, sourness was found as the only taste that not only conceptually associated with envy/jealousy, but also significantly primed envy/jealousy feelings. The possible mechanism underlying the association of sourness-envy/jealousy was discussed.
Assuntos
População do Leste Asiático , Ciúme , Humanos , Emoções , Paladar , FelicidadeRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Romantic jealousy could be understood as a continuum, from reality-based, transient and functional jealousy to a more chronic form of jealousy with varying insight, intensity and duration. The latter has some overlaps with obsessive-compulsive disorder (here termed obsessional jealousy). Little is known about the nature of obsessional jealousy and its association with functional impairment, perceived negative consequences (drinking, violence), current and past relationship factors (e.g., length of relationship, being in love, infidelity, previous jealousy) or perceived need for professional support. METHODS: Participants were 1076 adults (55% women) who filled in an anonymous survey. RESULTS: Obsessional jealousy, measured with the Obsessional Jealousy Severity Scale, was strongly associated with functional impairment and verbal violence, and more weakly with physical violence and alcohol consumption. Individuals with a history of previous jealousy had more severe symptoms and were more likely to perceive the need for psychological support. Approximately 25% of the sample expressed interest in treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there is a group of individuals with impairing levels of obsessional jealousy who have a perceived need for help with their difficulties. More research is needed on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of these individuals. The development of jealousy-specific psychological models and treatments is warranted.
Assuntos
Ciúme , Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo , Adulto , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo/psicologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Modelos PsicológicosRESUMO
Male romantic jealousy is a commonly cited driver of intimate partner violence against women. An in-depth, contextualised understanding of the pathways and mechanisms from jealousy to intimate partner violence is, however, needed to inform programmes and interventions. We triangulated data from 48 interviews, eight focus groups and 1216 survey findings from low-income married women and men in northern Ecuador. Male jealousy was associated with controlling behaviours (aOR: 14.47, 95% CI: 9.47, 22.12) and sexual intimate partner violence (aOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.12, 5.12). Controlling behaviours were associated with physical and sexual intimate partner violence (aOR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.84). Qualitatively we found that most respondents framed jealousy within a discourse of love, and three triggers of male jealousy leading to intimate partner violence were identified: (1) community gossip, which acted as a mechanism of community control over women's movements and sexuality; (2) women joining the labour force, which was quantitatively associated with intimate partner violence and partially mediated by jealousy; and (3) women's refusal to have sex, which could lead husbands to coerce sex through accusations of infidelity. Gender-transformative interventions at the individual, couple and community level providing models of alternative masculinities and femininities may offer promise in reducing intimate partner violence in Ecuador. Importantly, future economic empowerment interventions should address jealousy to mitigate potential intimate partner violence backlash.
Assuntos
Violência por Parceiro Íntimo , Ciúme , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Equador , Comportamento Sexual , Masculinidade , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
The term vaccine envy (i.e., envy experienced when others are given the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine) was coined during the COVID-19 pandemic and has received media attention. This study is the first to systematically investigate vaccine envy. In two pre-registered online surveys conducted in May 2021 (N = 1,174) and October/November 2021 (N = 535), we collected data from vaccinated and unvaccinated German participants, including measures of vaccine envy, well-being, personal experiences during the pandemic, and various trait constructs (e.g., justice sensitivity and self-esteem). We found that in May 2021, 47% of participants experienced vaccine envy at least sometimes and that vaccine envy was connected to victim sensitivity, subjective perceptions of being threatened by the pandemic, and an increased willingness to be vaccinated. By November 2021, however, vaccine envy among unvaccinated participants had almost disappeared. Our findings advance the understanding of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Ciúme , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Pandemias/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , AutoimagemRESUMO
This study examined the construct of anticipated jealousy, conceptually clarifying the components of this construct and creating an optimized scale. Total of 18 items from three widely used self-report measures of jealousy (Multidimensional Jealousy Scale-Emotional Subscale, Anticipated Sexual Jealousy Scale, and Chronic Jealousy Scale) and additional 11 potential anticipated jealousy items were given to 1852 individuals in relationships. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and item response theory (IRT) analyses were used to develop and evaluate the Anticipated Jealousy Scale (AJS). By augmenting the item pool, the results highlighted that anticipated jealousy could take two distinct forms: (1) sexual-getting upset over thoughts of a partner engaging in sexual activity with someone else and (2) possessive-getting upset over a partner forming friendships and emotional bonds with others. IRT analyses helped identify the five most effective items for assessing each of those domains to create the AJS. Results suggested that the subscales of the AJS offered greater precision and power in detecting meaningful differences among respondents than the existing measures, representing short yet psychometrically optimized scales. The AJS subscales demonstrated strong convergent validity with other measures of anticipated sexual and possessive jealousy, and excellent construct and discriminant validity with anchor scales from the nomological net surrounding the construct. Finally, regression analyses demonstrated distinct predictors and correlates for anticipated sexual jealousy, anticipated possessive jealousy, and chronic jealousy. Given the potential utility in distinguishing between the many forms of jealousy, AJS offers an optimized scale measuring anticipated sexual and possessive jealousy.
Assuntos
Ciúme , Comportamento Sexual , Emoções , Análise Fatorial , Humanos , Comportamento Sexual/psicologiaRESUMO
Compersion refers to the positive feelings, such as joy, excitement and contentment, that one may experience in response to one's partner's other consensually non-monogamous (CNM) intimate relationship(s). In the study, we recruited 44 CNM participants who had experienced compersion to complete an open-ended online survey regarding the factors that facilitated and hindered their experiences of compersion. A thematic analysis identified three main themes: intrapersonal/individual factors, experiences in and characteristics of the relationship with one's partner(s), and feelings/judgments about one's metamour (one's partner's partner). The factors most commonly named by participants as facilitating compersion included: feelings of self-worth, feeling secure and that one's needs were being met in the relationship with the partner, communication with one's partner, and positive regard for one's metamour. Participants shared conflicting experiences regarding the nature of the relationship between jealousy and compersion and whether the ability to feel compersion was innate or learned. Findings were generally consistent with the small body of literature on this phenomenon. Several theories, including Broaden-and-Build, Self-Expansion, and Crossover, may help us understand the underpinnings of compersion and the pathways through which the experience might strengthen and deepen relationships. The study's results suggest multiple hypotheses ripe for future testing. Increasing our knowledge of this little known phenomenon carries the potential to help us identify strategies to manage jealousy and increase positive feelings across all relationship types.
Assuntos
Comportamento Sexual , Parceiros Sexuais , Humanos , Ciúme , Casamento , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Jealousy is an affective state activated by a perceived threat to a valued relationship by a third party. On average, males report higher distress about their partner's sexual extra-pair involvement, while females show higher emotional jealousy. These sex differences are specific to heterosexuals and to contexts with potential reproductive costs. We tested the effect of sex and sexual orientation of the individual, and sex of the partner and potential rival on sexual versus emotional jealousy. Sexual orientation was operationalized as a willingness to form long-term relationships with men, women, or both. Heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual males (N = 416) and females (N = 1328) from Brazil, Chile, and Portugal responded to the Sexual vs. Emotional Jealousy Scale and then ranked their distress to four hypothetical scenarios: sexual or emotional involvement of their partner with a male or a female rival. This is the first study to simultaneously test for an effect of self, partner, and rival sex on jealousy: bisexual individuals responded twice, about a hypothetical female and about a male partner. Individuals were most preoccupied with their partner's emotional relationship with a rival of the same sex as the respondent. Heterosexual males reported higher sexual jealousy than the other groups, but did not differ from bisexual men responding about female partners. Bisexual females were more upset by sexual extra-pair involvement of their female (versus male) partners with a male rival. Thus, jealousy was influenced by sex and sexual orientation of the individuals, sex of the partners, and also by sex of the rivals: same-sex rivals were perceived as most threatening. This suggests that besides being a strategy to maintain a primary relationship, jealousy is particularly sensitive to same-sex competitors, being an intra-sexual competition strategy.
Assuntos
Ciúme , Comportamento Sexual , Bissexualidade/psicologia , Feminino , Heterossexualidade/psicologia , Homossexualidade , Humanos , Masculino , Comportamento Sexual/psicologia , Parceiros Sexuais/psicologiaRESUMO
Jealousy protests have been linked to the intrusion of social rivals challenging infants' exclusive access to maternal care and resources that typically accompany attachment. Previous studies revealed that the experimental presentation of social rivals evokes protest in as early as 6 months old infants. This study replicated research on jealousy protests in a novel language and sociocultural context with 10-20 months old infants. We compared protests of 45 children when their mothers attended to each of the rivals and controlled for attachment dimensions. As hypothesized, infants had a stronger jealousy protest to the social rival, and their response was associated with attachment avoidance. We concluded that our results contribute to evidence on jealousy protest as an evolutionary rooted phenomenon that favors the mother's attention in a social rivalry scenario over nonsocial stimuli. Attachment avoidance may be a precluding factor of jealousy when faced with a social rival scenario that deserves further research.