Jealousy and commitment: Perceived threat and the effect of relationship alternatives

Most research on jealousy has focused on the correlation between one psychological factor and jealousy. In contrast, the current work examined how the link between relationship commitment and jealousy depends on the interplay of two situational factors: attractiveness of relationship alternatives and receiving threatening information about the self and the romantic relationship. In two studies, participants completed measures of relationship commitment for their current relationship and then received feedback that manipulated their perceptions of relationship alternatives (Study 1) or their perceptions of relationship compatibility (Study 2). Participants jealousy was assessed by their responses to a mildly threatening relationship situation (Studies 1 and 2) and on a jealousy scale (Study 2). Study 1 showed that those in more committed relationships experienced greater jealousy when they were induced to consider having unattractive relationship alternatives. Study 2 showed that those with greater relationship commitment reported more jealousy when they received negative information about their relationship compatibility. Implications for how threat plays a causal role in experiencing jealousy are discussed. Numerous factors have been proposed to explain when and why jealousy occurs. Personality variables such as neuroticism and obsessiveness (e.g., Buunk, 1997), relationship factors including love and dependence (e.g., Buunk, 1991), evolutionary pressures that emphasize inclusive fitness goals (e.g., Buss, 2000), and contextual, cultural, or social situational variables (e.g., Hupka, 1991) have all received somewhat modest support in their ability to predict jealousy. The current work argues that a clearer understanding of jealousy emerges by considering how such factors interact with each other. White and Mullen (1989) define jealousy as, ‘‘A complex of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions resulting from the perception of harm or threat to the self and/or the romantic relationship by a real or potential rival relationship’’ (p. 54). This definition implies that each of these factors, and how it affects perceptions of threat, is potentially important in understanding jealousy. In line with this definition, most theoretical conceptualizations of jealousy propose a rich integration of these different factors (e.g., Salovey, 1991; White & Mullen). For instance, White and Mullen s and White s (1991) systems theory interpretation of jealousy posits that the commitment of the current relationship interacts with other factors (e.g., the relationship between the rival and the jealous person) to facilitate the expression of jealousy. Similarly, Bringle (1991) predicts that situational factors, relationship factors, and personality factors interact to facilitate the expression of jealousy. A considerable amount of research on jealousy has focused on the level of relationship Correspondence should be addressed to Robert J. Rydell, Miami University, Department of Psychology, Oxford, OH 45056, e-mail: [email protected]. This research was supported by NIMH Grant MH60645 and MH68279. The authors thank Eli Finkel, Mike Gray, Steve Rholes, and Susan Sprecher for their helpful comments on this research. We appreciate the helpful contributions of Stacy Eppley, Emma Hutter, Chris Jones, Kim Palmer, Kristal Reis, Minya Smith, and Courtney Snyder in conducting these experiments. Personal Relationships, 11 (2004), 451–468. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright 2004 IARR. 1350-4126=02