Abstract
M.A.
A summary of existing and relevant literature confirms that conceptualisation, measuring and determination of the origin of jealousy are currently still in an infantile phase when compared to other psychological phenomena such as anxiety.Jealousy is an emotion that is responsible for considerable emotional and physical suffering and discomfort. Considering society's uneasy silence about jealousy, it would seem that scientific studies about jealousy are warranted.
Since personality forms the base from which jealousy originates and from where it ripples out wards to influence relationships between individuals, families, population groups, et cetera, it was decided to undertake a study of the personality of the jealous person. The purpose of the study, therefore, is to determine whether there are statistically significant differences in certain personality dimensions between a group of jealous and a group of significantly less jealous female students at a tertiary institution.
Jealousy is discussed on the basis of the current state of literature on the topic. A distinction is made between jealousy and a similar emotional experience namely envy, after which a model of romantic jealousy is presented. The possibility of psychopathology as a result of jealousy is then investigated as well as the typical coping behaviour displayed by a jealous person. Furthermore, the relationship between jealousy and personality with specific reference to the typical personality traits of the adult jealous individual is considered.