The relationships between relative mate value, irrational beliefs, and romantic jealousy
were examined. Three main questions were addressed: (1) does relative mate value affect
the amount of romantic jealousy experienced for people in romantic relationships? (2) is
there a relationship between irrational beliefs and romantic jealousy? and (3) do irrational
beliefs act as a moderator variable in the relationship between relative mate value and
romantic jealousy? Fifty-three women and 37 men completed a relative mate value
questionnaire, the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, and the General Attitude and Belief
Scale. Relative mate value was manipulated by having participants imagine they were
dating a partner either lower, equal, or higher than their own mate value. It was found
that romantic jealousy was highly correlated with irrational beliefs, but had no significant
relationship with relative mate value. Irrational beliefs did not act as a moderator variable
in the relationship between relative mate value and romantic jealousy. The results suggest
that individual differences in beliefs may play a larger role in romantic jealousy than does
relative mate value
