RESEARCH_FILE
Gregory L. White
University of Hawaii
Known for:Developer of one of the first formal threat-appraisal models of romantic jealousy, framing jealousy as a relational appraisal process driven by perceived relationship value and rival threat, not as a simple emotional response
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“Who liked that — and why are they always liking everything”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“That name is a clue, not a verdict.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
Open the post once, notice the first name that catches your eye, then close the app and set your phone screen-down for two minutes without checking the likes again.
Key findings
- 1981
White proposed a social exchange model of jealousy in which jealousy emerges when a person perceives that a rival threatens a relationship they value. Crucially, both the perceived value of the relationship and the perceived threat level of the rival are subjective appraisals — meaning jealousy can be triggered by imagined rivals and can be disproportionate to the actual threat. Jealousy and partner's perceived motives for attraction to a rival ↗