Jealousy: quick facts
Jealousy is a complex emotion that arises when a person fears losing a valued relationship to a rival. It is commonly described as a blend of several basic emotions — typically fear, anger, and sadness — rather than a…
Category
Complex & secondary emotions
Valence
Negative
Emotion family / blend
Anger + fear + sadness
Typical triggers
Perceived threat to a valued relationship
How it's expressed
Vigilance, tension, accusatory or protective behaviour
Sources: Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview; American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.