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

[cuvalwen.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 would put the development of jealousy quite late in human development then, after pair-bonding became standard, as it appears that early humans (e.g. homo habilis) operated like our primate cousins and children were raised pretty much communally. Parents might favour their own child over others, but not the extent that they wouldn't assist in the raising of others.
I suppose the question is- do gorillas and chimps display jealousy?
And if so, is it about sexual possesiveness towards the individual female, or is it an alpha male reaction to another male muscleing in on his territory/status?

[kelemvor.livejournal.com]

That is about as far as my knowledge of the subject extends, I'm afraid. I'm a botanist, and plants (so far as I'm aware) don't suffer from either!