Jealousy: Green-eyed monster or natural emotion?

(From HMG - General and Specialist Media Watch Summary Service)

By Rael Martell

Most of us will feel pangs of jealousy at some time in our life but what constitutes this emotion and can it damage our health and relationships?The genuine article

According to Dr Nick Neave, an evolutionary psychologist at Northumbria University, people who claim to have never experienced jealousy are either lying or extremely rare.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines jealousy as being envious of someone elses possessions, achievements or advantages; suspicious or resentful of a perceived sexual rival; or fiercely protective or vigilant of ones rights of possessions.

However, Dr Neave says jealousy in the real sense of the word refers exclusively to a feeling towards another …