Skip to main content
Log in

A model of romantic jealousy

  • Published:
Motivation and Emotion Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A definition of romantic jealousy is offered and imbedded within a general coping framework. Published and unpublished research is reviewed and then ordered within this framework. It is suggested that viewing jealousy as a “thing” like an emotion (anger), a behavior (competitive rivalry), or thoughts (desires for exclusivity) is incomplete. Jealousy is viewed as a label given to a complex of interrelated emotional, cognitive, and behavioral processes. New research is presented that suggests that jealousy is related to certain features of romantic relationships.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benedictson, C.The development of a scale for the assessment of jealousy. Paper presented at the meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, May 1977.

  • Bernard, J.The future of marriage. New York: World, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E., & Fei, J. Romantic love and sexual jealousy. In G. Clanton & L. G. Smith (Eds.),Jealousy. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohm, E. Jealousy. In A. Ellis & A. Abarbanel (Eds.),The encyclopedia of sexual behavior (Vol. 1), New York: Hawthorn, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booth, A. Sex and social participation.American Sociological Review 1972,37, 183–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bringle, R. G., Roach, S., Andler, C., & Evenbeck, S.Correlates of jealousy. Paper presented at the meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, May 1977.

  • Bringle, R. G., Roach, S., Andler, C., & Evenbeck, S. Measuring the intensity of jealous reactions.Journal Supplement Abstract Service 1979, Ms. 1832.

  • Bringle, R. G., & Williams, L. J. Parental-offspring similarity on jealousy and related personality dimensions.Motivation and Emotion 1979,3, 265–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buunk, B.Attributions and jealousy. Paper presented at the meeting of the 22nd International Congress of Psychology, Leipzig, July 1980. (a)

  • Bunk, B. Jealousy: Coping with extramarital relationships of the spouse. In D. Mangusson (chair),Stress and coping processes—Psychodynamic and psychological approaches. Symposium presented at the meeting of the 22nd International Congress of Psychology, Leipzig, July 1980. (b)

  • Clanton, G., & Smith, L. G.,Englewood Cliffs New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowne, D., & Marlowe, D.The approval motive. New York: Wiley, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denfeld, D. Dropouts from swinging: The marriage counselor as informant. In J. R. Smith & L. G. Smith (Eds.),Beyond monogamy. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenichel, O.The psychoanalytic theory of neuroses. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. Some neurotic mechanisms in jealousy, paranoia, and homosexuality.Standard edition (Vol. 18). London: Hogarth Press, 1955. (Originally published, 1922).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, A. E. The male role and heterosexual behavior.Journal of Social Issues 1978,34, 362–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hupka, R. B.Societal and individual roles in the expression of jealousy. Paper presented at the 85th annual convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, August 1977.

  • Hupka, R. B., & Bachelor, B.Validation of a scale to measure romantic jealousy. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Diego, April 1979.

  • Jones, E. Jealousy.Die Psychoanalytische Bewegung, 1930,2.

  • Klein, M., & Riviere, J.Love, hate, and reparation. New York: Norton, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S.Psychological stress and the coping process. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., Averill, J. R., & Opton, E. M. Toward a cognitive theory of emotion. In M. Arnold (Ed.),Feelings and emotions. New York: Academic, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., & Launier, R. Stress-related transactions between person and environment. In L. A. Pervin & M. Lewis (Eds.),Perspectives in interactional psychology. New York: Plenum, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, R. A. Emotional intimacy among men.Journal of Social Issues 1978,34, 108–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren, D. C., & Schaub, M. R.Sex differences in the social bases of self esteem. Paper presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, 1974.

  • Mathes, E. W., & Severa, N.Jealousy. Unpublished manuscript, Western Illinois University, 1976.

  • Mead, M. Jealousy: Primitive and civilized. In S. D. Schmalhausen & V. F. Calverton (Eds.),Woman's coming of age. New York: Liveright, 1931.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Leary, V. E.Toward understanding women. Monterey, California: Brooks/Cole, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peplau, L. A. Power in dating relationships. In J. Freedman (Ed.),Women: A feminist perspective. Palo Alto: Mayfield, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M.Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosmarin, D. M., Chambless, D. L., & LaPointe, K.The survey of interpersonal reactions: An inventory for the measurement of jealousy. Unpublished manuscript, University of Georgia, 1979.

  • Rusch, P. A., & Hupka, R. B.Development and validation of a scale to measure romantic jealousy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Seattle, April 1977.

  • Shettel-Neuber, J., Bryson, J. B., & Young, L. E. Physical attractiveness of the “other” person and jealousy.Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 1978,4, 612–615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simmel, G.The sociology of Georg Simmel (Kurt Wolff, Ed.). New York: Free Press, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielman, P. M. Envy and jealousy.Psychoanalytic Quarterly 1971,40, 59–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varni, C. A. An exploratory study of spouse swapping. In J. R. Smith & L. G. Smith (Eds.),Beyond monogamy. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G. L. Social psychology of romantic jealousy. (Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, 1976),Dissertation Abstracts International, 1977,37, 5449B–5450B. (University Microfilms No. 77-7700). (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G. L.Inequality of emotional involvement, power, and jealousy in romantic couples. Paper presented at the 85th annual convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, August 1977. (b)

  • White, G. L. Inducing Jealousy: A power perspective.Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 1980,6, 222–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G. L. Some correlates of romantic jealousy.Journal of Personality, 1980. (b)

  • White, G. L.Validation of three jealousy scales. Unpublished manuscript, University of Maryland, College Partk, 1980. (c)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G. L. Jealousy and partner's perceived motives for attraction to a rival.Social Psychology Quarterly 1981,44, 24–30. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G. L. Relative involvement, inadequacy, and jealousy: A test of a causal model.Alternative Lifestyles, 1981. (b)

  • White, G. L.Social comparison, motive attribution, alternative assessment, and coping with jealousy. Paper presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, 1981. (c)

  • Whitehurst, R. N. Violence potential in extramarital sexual responses.Journal of Marriage and the Family 1971,33, 683–681.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The author wishes to thank Melissa Jaffee, Kathy Kephart, and Donna Schwartzman for their help in administering and scoring the questionnaires. Computer time for data analysis was donated by the Computer Science Center of the University of Maryland.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

White, G.L. A model of romantic jealousy. Motiv Emot 5, 295–310 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992549

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992549

Keywords

Navigation