Why Jealousy is not a Product of Evolution

[YosefYosep]

I have an assigned debate for my psychology class tomorrow. I’m supposed to take the view point that jealousy is not a product of evolution, but rather a product of the environment (something that is learned). I’m having a hard time finding evidence to support jealousy not being a product of evolution (particularly sexual jealousy). If someone could point me into the right direction or give me some reliable information, it would be much appreciated. It’s a classic nature vs nurture debate and I’ve been put on the side of nurture.

 

[dmar198]

I have an assigned debate for my psychology class tomorrow. I’m supposed to take the view point that jealousy is not a product of evolution, but rather a product of the environment (something that is learned). I’m having a hard time finding evidence to support jealousy not being a product of evolution (particularly sexual jealousy). If someone could point me into the right direction or give me some reliable information, it would be much appreciated. It’s a classic nature vs nurture debate and I’ve been put on the side of nurture.

One argument could be that jealousy can get a person in fights, which goes against the survival value basis of evolution. To me, that is a weak argument, but you’ve got to deal with the cards you’ve been handed.

 

[Mike_from_NJ]

I agree with you that jealously is quite likely a product of evolution. Still you could try arguing that jealously confers no evolutionary advantage or even a disadvantage (i.e. that it doesn’t help in finding a partner to create offspring and pass along genes).

 

[In_Spiration]

I have an assigned debate for my psychology class tomorrow. I’m supposed to take the view point that jealousy is not a product of evolution, but rather a product of the environment (something that is learned). I’m having a hard time finding evidence to support jealousy not being a product of evolution (particularly sexual jealousy). If someone could point me into the right direction or give me some reliable information, it would be much appreciated. It’s a classic nature vs nurture debate and I’ve been put on the side of nurture.

Keep in mind that in order for your opponent to successfully attribute jealousy to evolution, he will need to provide evidence of some sort of variable genetic basis. Otherwise, almost every argument he uses to prove that jealousy is fitness-enhancing and reproductively-advantageous can likewise be explained as a learned, rational behavior via positive feedback.

EDIT: I’ll add a little more. Basically, jealousy is merely recognition of potential or actual competition, of a risk to one’s investment. Seems only normal that one would react with negative emotion and from there seek out ways to ward off threats. On the flip side, inducing jealousy in others is often a conscious effort to test the loyalty or level of investment of another.

 

[Zachary]

What is evolution if not a byproduct of environment.

Nothing “learned”, nothing evolved.

An organism learns from its environment. No environment, no reaction. No reaction, no evolution. Jealousy, like love or hate or envy, is just a reacting to environmental causes that may have evolved or may have always been. You can only suggest that it was “evolved” but you can prove that it’s a reaction. You can’t be jealous until the object of jealousy is injected into your environment.

 

[edwest2]

I have an assigned debate for my psychology class tomorrow. I’m supposed to take the view point that jealousy is not a product of evolution, but rather a product of the environment (something that is learned). I’m having a hard time finding evidence to support jealousy not being a product of evolution (particularly sexual jealousy). If someone could point me into the right direction or give me some reliable information, it would be much appreciated. It’s a classic nature vs nurture debate and I’ve been put on the side of nurture.

Evolution is a banned topic. What you are referring to is the not hardly accepted at all idea called “evolutionary psychology.”

Peace,
Ed