Jealousy and envy are often used interchangeably, but they have key differences. Jealousy is negative and focused on the rival, while envy can have positive effects and is focused on the perceived value of the object. Envy can lead to materialistic behavior, while jealousy can lead to physical confrontations. Envy can motivate self-improvement, while jealousy requires the removal of a rival or object.
Many people use the words jealousy and envy interchangeably to describe the same emotional response, a general feeling of resentment toward a perceived rival. While these emotions tend to overlap in some respects, there are some key differences between the two. Jealousy, for example, is almost exclusively a negative emotion, while envy can have some positive effects, such as a renewed interest in self-improvement.
One difference between jealousy and envy involves the relationship between the jealous or envious person and their rival. An envious coworker may develop personal resentment toward a promoted coworker because the position represents a higher salary and greater responsibility. The real source of this envy is rarely the coworker himself, but the perceived value of the position. The coworker may very well deserve the advancement because of his or her superior skills or education, but an envious person might become angry with himself for not possessing those qualities.
Jealousy, on the other hand, focuses on the rival himself, not necessarily the object or “good” at the center of the conflict. This feeling implies a closer relationship between the jealous person and his rival. Instead of a promotion, the co-worker may begin a romantic relationship with the jealous person’s secret office crush. Since this rivalry is personal in nature, the target of the jealous person’s resentment and anger is not necessarily the unattainable romantic partner, but the more attractive rival now between them.
Another difference between jealousy and envy is the depth of emotion. Envy is considered one of the 7 deadly sins, but in general, the moral danger lies in becoming greedy for another person’s possessions or status. In a sense, it is behind criminal acts such as burglary or fraud. The criminal develops an irrational envy of people he perceives as luckier in life, so the theft of a victim’s property somewhat balances the balance of fairness. In its rawest form, this emotion represents an irrational desire for material satisfaction, not necessarily a grudge against those who have it.
Jealousy, however, is largely focused on the perceived character of the rival himself. It’s not that a more attractive rival has managed to “steal” a potential romantic partner, it’s the injustice that an undeserving rival can use his skills to take what rightfully belongs to the jealous person. These feelings often run deeper than those of envy and can lead to physical confrontations with a rival or even criminal acts of violence.
Feelings of jealousy are almost always negative, since the jealous person may continue to harbor resentment toward his or her rival until the situation becomes untenable or volatile. Many cases can only be defused if at least one side of the triangle is taken out of the equation entirely. If the object of the jealous person’s romantic interest starts dating a third party, for example, the tension between the rivals should decrease considerably. Without a focus for passionate emotions, they generally lose their fuel.
Envy, on the other hand, can actually have some positive benefits, albeit in retrospect. An envious person may be motivated to take the necessary steps to get what his rival already has. Instead of developing irrational feelings of resentment against a successful colleague, for example, an envious person might follow the same educational path as his rival or take other steps to improve his or her chances for a similar promotion. Resolving such feelings does not require the removal of a rival or the “good” he now possesses, but it may require an attitude adjustment on the part of the envious.
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