Study: Jealousy responses vary by sex and orientation.

Men upset by sexual betrayal, women by emotional. Attraction and masculinity matter.

Why it matters

  • Jealousy responses differ by sex, sexual orientation, and psychological traits.

By the numbers

  • 4,465 Norwegian adults surveyed.
  • 59% of heterosexual men vs. 31% of women found sexual infidelity worse.
  • Exclusively heterosexual men showed highest sexual jealousy.

The big picture

  • Sexual orientation and masculinity influence jealousy.
  • Sex differences in jealousy fade among sexual minorities.

What they're saying

  • Some see results as aligned with reproductive pressures.
  • Skepticism about self-reported heterosexuality measuring conservativeness.

Caveats

  • Online recruitment may not represent broader population.
  • Hypothetical scenarios may not reflect real-life reactions.

What’s next

  • More research needed on underlying biological processes.