The Green-Eyed Monster (no, not Doyle...)

[m31andy]

Quite a while ago, cuvalwen raised the question "what evolutionary advantage has jealousy?", to which I couldn't really answer. But it looks like the question may be laid to rest at last.

Looks like it's a by-product of bonding: 'Cuddle chemical' may create green-eyed monster

ETA: kelemvor just pointed out that what they are actually talking about is envy, not jealousy. I'm blaming the monthly report on this one as my brain is currently mush.

Comments

[kelemvor.livejournal.com]

The evolutionary advantage of jealousy is that you keep a close eye on your mate and make sure that between you, you only raise your own offspring.

That article is talking about envy, which isn't quite the same.

sgloomi summed them up very succinctly:
Envy is you've got it and I want it.
Jealousy is I've got and you can't have it!

Had I known this at an earlier age, all the agony aunt pages about the stereotypical "jealous boy/girlfriend" would have made much more sense.

*Goes back to VB script*