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This study assessed the effects of behavior-setting changes, partners' behavior toward an interloper, and importance of interloper characteristics for romantic jealousy. Participants were 162 individuals in dating relationships. Four jealousy dilemmas were presented that crossed two levels of behavior setting and two levels of partners' extradyadic behavior toward an interloper. Interloper characteristics were also embedded in the dilemmas. A 2 x 2 withinsubjects ANOVA revealed significant variation between behavior settings and extradyadic behaviors. A doubly-multivariate repeated measures MANOVA assessed the importance of interloper characteristics within behavior setting and extradyadic behavior, showing that interloper characteristics do play a role in reported jealousy. Findings are explained in terms of behavior-setting influences, coping appraisals, and self-maintenance evaluations.
Keywords: jealousy, behavior setting, situation, self-evaluation maintenance, interloper.
The purpose of the current investigation was to assess the effects of behavior settings and social-environmental characteristics on romantic jealousy. Both behavior settings (e.g., churches, coffee houses, schools, living-rooms) and social-environmental characteristics (e.g., physical appearance, social status, interpersonal social skills) have been shown to influence behavior (Barker & Associates, 1978; Brehm, 1992; Brown, Werner, & Altman, 1994; Wicker, 1984). Together, these features may be seen as powerful cues that act upon individuals as they interact with one another, thus influencing dyadic outcomes. Indeed, Werner, Brown, Altman, and Staples (1992) have noted that close relationships may be better evaluated by accounting for the physical and social contexts where behavioral events occur, and Huston (2000) recently promoted a "social ecology" framework for studying marital and other intimate unions.
Romantic jealousy is a prime candidate for such an investigation. Jealousy is a negative emotional reaction that occurs as a result of a partner's extradyadic relationship that is real, imagined, or considered likely to occur, and is prevalent in contemporary close relationships (Bringle & Buunk, 1985; Clanton & Smith, 1986; Pines, 1992). Although jealousy plays a practical role in relationships (Buss, 1994; Clanton & Smith, 1986), if it becomes too prevalent, relationship strain, dissatisfaction, and even partner abuse can result (Bryson, 1991; Mullen & Maack, 1985). Since threat must be perceived before jealousy is experienced (Guerrero & Andersen, 1998; White & Mullen, 1989), cues within the physical and social environment are used to discern relationship threat (Marelich, 1998). This study intends to add to the...