The Green Brain: A QEEG Investigation of the Domain-Specificity of Jealousy

• Main Author: Gerke, Aric R.
• Published: Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange 2007
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/133

Previous investigators have found evidence to support the hypothesis that the genders show differential reactions to emotional and sexual jealousy. Evolutionary psychology provides heuristic support by noting that the genders have faced divergent selection pressures in the past that jealousy could adaptively address. While these studies have given sound proof in this regard, criticism has arisen because of the dearth of support for the actual neurological process of jealousy. This study was designed to record subjects experiencing two separate conditions designed to elicit emotional and sexual jealousy. The electrophysiological results did not demonstrate evidence of domain-specificity of jealousy, and produced mixed results by showing gender differences but in directions not envisioned by a priori predictions.