The Evolution of Jealousy

Jealousy is a powerful emotion that often attends long-term romantic and sexual relationships.  Jealousy is the emotion most closely linked with spousal battering and homicide.  Although often viewed as a sign of immaturity, insecurity, or neurosis, jealousy may in fact represent a profoundly adaptive solution to the problems posed by real threats to relationships.  Cross-cultural, physiological, and longitudinal research is presented to explore sex differences in jealousy and the role of jealousy in sexual and romantic relationships.  Discussion focuses on the adaptive as well as destructive consequences of jealousy.