Animals are fairly consistent being jealous: some races are, some are not, and the ones that are tend to be in similar circumstances. Instead, predicting and explaining human jealousy (or lack of) would be a tough exercise for Asimov's robots.
I think the reason why jealousy is so much stronger in humans in part is because of the society we live in. We're taught from a young age to be materialistic and that if we don't own expensive product A, we're worthless, members of the opposite sex won't be attracted to us and so on. There's that extra external pressure.
Also, humans appear to think that if no one is actively wanting something that they have, it has no worth. Perhaps that explains people that tend to show off more often.
Animals don't seem to have the same sense of self-worth. They generally tend to their needs rather than their wants.
I don't know... it's been a very long day, I'm trying not to blow up my company's SVN and I just want to get to bed so I might not be thinking too straight.
Maybe, but my kids were raised not to be as materialistic as their peers-- and it actually worked. I'm very proud of them. But in their case, jealousy manifests over how much time and attention they get from ME... not something of any real value. ; )
@qgil: no, I was talking from a strictly behaviorial standpoint.
I'm working on a science fiction novel wherein a main character is a social historian, so I've been devouring dialogs like this. I'm especially interested in the subject of domestication, and how it alters a species behavirially and even physically over time. If you're ever interested, google the subject of fox domestication in Russia. What they've discovered is fascinating.
10 comments so far
Animal instinct. My dogs know the feeling well.
2 years ago by Texrat
Both. Humans take the animal instinct to a whole new level.
2 years ago by zerojay
Good point!
2 years ago by Texrat
Yes, good point.
Animals are fairly consistent being jealous: some races are, some are not, and the ones that are tend to be in similar circumstances. Instead, predicting and explaining human jealousy (or lack of) would be a tough exercise for Asimov's robots.
Or maybe not. What are the roots of jealousy?
2 years ago by qgil
I wonder if domestication makes a difference?
2 years ago by Texrat
Do you mean that jealousy could be like a virus that humans can pass on to animals?
2 years ago by qgil
I think the reason why jealousy is so much stronger in humans in part is because of the society we live in. We're taught from a young age to be materialistic and that if we don't own expensive product A, we're worthless, members of the opposite sex won't be attracted to us and so on. There's that extra external pressure.
Also, humans appear to think that if no one is actively wanting something that they have, it has no worth. Perhaps that explains people that tend to show off more often.
Animals don't seem to have the same sense of self-worth. They generally tend to their needs rather than their wants.
I don't know... it's been a very long day, I'm trying not to blow up my company's SVN and I just want to get to bed so I might not be thinking too straight.
2 years ago by zerojay
Maybe, but my kids were raised not to be as materialistic as their peers-- and it actually worked. I'm very proud of them. But in their case, jealousy manifests over how much time and attention they get from ME... not something of any real value. ; )
2 years ago by Texrat
@qgil: no, I was talking from a strictly behaviorial standpoint.
I'm working on a science fiction novel wherein a main character is a social historian, so I've been devouring dialogs like this. I'm especially interested in the subject of domestication, and how it alters a species behavirially and even physically over time. If you're ever interested, google the subject of fox domestication in Russia. What they've discovered is fascinating.
2 years ago by Texrat
I'm not sure I care too much about the answer to your question, @qgil, at least not more than the question itself. Why do you ask, I wonder.
2 years ago by badosa