Experience and Expression of Jealousy: Comparison between Friends and Romantics

Abstract

A survey was administered to assess the differences between friends and romantics regarding the experience and expression of jealousy. The first hypothesis predicted that the perceived appropriateness of the expression of jealousy would be greater in romantic relationships than in friendships. Therefore, the second hypothesis predicted that the expression of jealousy would be greater in romantic relationships than in friendships. Third, it was expected that the intensity of jealousy would be a stronger predictor of expression for romantics than for friends. The first two hypotheses were confirmed; however, the last hypothesis received only tenuous support. While t tests yielded no significant differences on the intensity of the experience of jealousy between friends and romantics, the difference on expression is explained in terms of social or normative influences.