Jealousy and Self-construal Essay -- Psychology, Emotions

Jealousy is an intrinsically relational phenomenon that is regarded as a multidimensional go out, consisting of cognitive, emotional and coping behaviors (Aylor, 2004 Fleischmann et. al, 2005 Pfeiffer and Wong, 1989 Theiss, 2006). Jealousy typically occurs when there is a potential threat to or an actual loss of a valued relationship between oneself and another due to a real or imagined reach for ones partners attention (DeSteno & Salovey, 1996 Fleischmann et. al, 2005 Pfeiffer & Wong, 1989 White, 1981 White & Mullen, 1989). These real or perceived threats cause individuals to experience and respond to jealousy differently, as most(prenominal) researchers believe jealousy to be not a single emotion, but a combination of internal and away negative emotions. Some people may internally experience hurt, anger, and fear of loss or deterioration of an important relationship (Aylor, 2004 Pfeiffer & Wong, 1989 Strom & Aune, 2008 White & Mullen, 1989) while other people may experience ex ternal displays of jealousy, such as crying, retaliating, departing, using surveillance or even becoming aggressive (Fleischmann et. al, 2005). Although jealousy appears in a variety of forms and levels of intensity, it always results from an interaction between predispositions and a triggering event. An individuals response to jealousy may be either direct or indirect depending on the severity of the relational threat posed by a potential rival (Bevan & Tidgewell, 2009 Theiss & Solomon, 2006). Severe problems in relationships often call for direct communication to resolve the issue. Direct responses often overwhelm accosting the partner or rival in face-to-face communication. For instance, a jealous partner might approach the rival to altercat... ...e relationship and creates feelings of uneasiness or anxiety, both of which may lead to decreased intimacy. Consequently, individuals may take measures to reduce uncertainty and improve their relationship with their partner. A fourth goal is re-assessing the relationship which occurs when individuals experience discontented in their relationship, thus they may re-examine the relationship by weighing the costs and benefits attributed to the relationship. The last cognitive goal provided is restoring equity through retaliation and transpires when partners in inequitable relationships participate in behaviors prompted by the need to restore equity in the relationship (e.g., tactics that even the score). Understanding how these cognitive goals impact the experience of jealousy is an essential first step in understanding how an individual will express jealous behaviors.