Definition Essay: The Evolution Of Jealousy

Jealousy, as much as it can be annoying, is a commonly experienced part of life. The article begins by telling the story of a boy named Elliott, who allowed his jealousy to spread so far that it forced his partner to feel trapped within their relationship. Jealousy alters the ability to think rationally, and can even force a person to feel the need to become a desirable mate. The evolution of jealousy began in the origin of humanity, and has developed to be the leading cause of homicide. Jealousy is different from envy, because it comes from the insecurity of one partner to overcompensate their worries. Envy requires the influence of an outside rival to which an insecure person compares themselves. This passage mentions that jealousy is a necessary

Jealousy is so complex to study because no one can pin one distinct emotion or process that triggers it. Evolutionary psychology has found that both sexes interpret jealousy differently. Men tend to feel jealous as a mode of protection for their manhood, including their wives and children. Women are more likely to experience jealousy when they feel another female is threatening to steal their partner. Jealousy can be considered as a protector, which began in the long-lasting relationships of early individuals. Humans are often biased by their fear of a mate's infidelity, and that's where delusion meets emotion. One study has found that jealousy is not as inevitable as we think, as it tends to occur in people who are emotionally unstable, and often not agreeable. Those two factors are included in the "Big Five" traits, heavily influenced by environment and heredity. Jealousy can be a signal that a partner feels inadequate or unattended, and is in need of reassurance. This act of trying to control partners through jealousy often proves the level of insecurity that one has