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Original scientific paper

A TEST OF THE EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATION OF JEALOUSY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CROATIA

Roger L. MELLGREN ; University of Texas at Arlington
Ivana HROMATKO ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb
Deborah MCARTHUR ; University of Texas at Arlington
Martha A. MANN ; University of Texas at Arlington


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Abstract

Numerous investigators reported results which support the
evolutionary theory of sex differences in jealousy. In this study we
extend the cross cultural evaluation of jealousy to a comparison
between U.S. and Croatian populations. Two alternative forced
choice methods were used to assess how upset males and
females were in the sexual or emotional infidelity of their mate
with either a same sex person (homosexual relationship) or an
opposite sex person (heterosexual relationship). A checklist of
emotions was also given to the subjects to assess in more detail
their feelings about the infidelities. In both the US and Croatia
females showed a strong tendency to be upset by the emotional
infidelity in the heterosexual case, but a complete reversal to the
sexual infidelity in the homosexual case. Males were more upset
by the sexual infidelity than females in the heterosexual case, but
less upset by the sexual infidelity than the females in the
homosexual case. Self reported emotions revealed anger, disgust
and sadness to differentiate the feelings of the subjects to the
different situations. The Croatian participants reported
significantly more emotions than the US participants. The general
predictions of the evolutionary account of sex differences in what
caused the most distress were supported.

Keywords

jealousy; evolutionary psychology; sex differences; cross-cultural evaluation

Hrčak ID:

62613

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/62613

Publication date:

23.12.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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