A study of the professional jealousy among teachers

Table of Contents

Types of Jealousy

Objectives of the Study

Method

Tools

Sample

Findings and Discussion

Conclusions

A STUDY OF THE PROFESSIONAL JEALOUSY AMONG TEACHERS

Dr. (Mrs.) Kiran Dammani

ABSTRACT

In the present research study an attempt was made to understand the psychology of professional jealousy among the teachers . Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. Research has identified a number of factors associated with jealousy. Although both women and men experience jealousy, there are differences in the ways they experience and react to it. Main objectives of the study were 1)To find out the teachers who have professional Jealousy.2)To find out the situations that generates the professional Jealousy. 3) To find out the causes of Jealousy.4) To enlist the Symptoms of Jealous behavior of colleague. Covert Participant observation method was used for the study. Jealousy was found to be more in the teachers who are ambitious, struggling high to achieve worthy position. Having average or below average level academic performance. Main causes of jealousy were found in the organization: When someone they hate succeeded, managed to get something and they thought that he didn't deserve it, achieved something that that had always wanted to achieve but didn't manage to get it. Lack of self confidence, Poor Self Concept, Fear Insecurity are the possible root causes for jealousy . The symptoms that indicates that colleague is jealous of you are : they avoid you, they spread rumours about you, they avoid making eye contact with you, not acknowledging your presence , not invited to social events .They don’t ever include you in their office humours Envy is a universal trait. However, if left unchecked in the workplace, it leads to problems..

Key Word: Abnormal jealousy, Symptomatic jealousy, self confidence and Self Concept

Jealousy has been conceptualized as a multidimensional construct with cognitive, emotional, and behavioural components. Jealousy is a familiar experience in human relationships. It has been observed in infants five months and older. Some claim that jealousy is seen in every culture; however, others claim jealousy is a culture-specific phenomenon. Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. Jealousy often consists of a combination of emotions such as anger, sadness, and disgust. It is not to be confused with envy. Jealousy is defined as the protective reaction or negative emotion that results from threats to relationships (Clanton & Kosins, 1991; Mathes & Severa, 1981). jealousy has been a theme of many novels, songs, poems, films and other artistic works. It has also been a topic of interest for scientists, artists, and theologians. Psychologists have proposed several models of the processes underlying jealousy and have identified factors that result in jealousy. Sociologists have demonstrated that cultural beliefs and values play an important role in determining what activates jealousy and what constitutes socially acceptable expressions of jealousy. Biologists have identified factors that may unconsciously influence the expression of jealousy. Artists have explored the theme of jealousy in photographs, paintings, movies, songs, plays, poems, and books. Theologians have offered religious views of jealousy based on the scriptures of their respective faiths.

Types of Jealousy

Various attempts have been made to distinguish between different types of jealousy. One important distinction is between normal and abnormal jealousy (Pines 1992). Normal jealousy has its basis in a real threat to a person's relationship with another. Most "normal" people experience intense jealousy when a valued relationship is threatened. On the other hand, jealousy is abnormal in two circumstances. First, jealousy is abnormal when it is not related to a real threat to a valued relationship, but to some inner trigger of the jealous individual. Such jealousy is also called delusional jealousy. Second, jealousy is abnormal when the jealous response is dramatically exaggerated or violent. Gregory White and Paul Mullen (1989) differentiate three major classes of jealousy. Symptomatic jealousy is a consequence of a major mental illness such as paranoid disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, or organic brain disorders. Because of personality disorder or strong sensitizing experiences, some people are especially sensitive to self-esteem or relationship threat and experience pathological jealousy. Normal jealousy, on the other hand, occurs in people who are neither sensitized nor suffering from a major mental illness.

Research has identified a number of factors associated with jealousy. Although both women and men experience jealousy, there are differences in the ways they experience and react to it. Men are more reactive to sexual involvement or threats, whereas women are more distressed by emotional involvement, loss of time and attention, and the prospect of losing a primary relationship (Buss et al. 1992; Teismann and Mosher 1978). When it comes to reacting to jealousy, women are more likely to try to change to please their partners in order to avoid the threat of another relationship, whereas men are more likely to seek solace or retribution in alternative relationships (White and Mullen 1989). In addition, women are more likely to test a relationship by deliberately attempting to make their partners jealous (Adams 1980).

Objectives of the Study

1) To find out the teachers who have professional Jealousy.
2) To find out the situations that generates the professional Jealousy.
3) To find out the causes of Jealousy.
4) To enlist the Symptoms of Jealous behavior of colleague

Method

Covert Participant observation method was used. The researcher was the member of group. The purpose was kept concealed from the group being studied. Discussion: Non formal discussion with the group members were carried out to get deep insight of their thinking and views.

Tools

- Academic performance: Marks at Secondary and Higher Secondary level
- Non Formal Interview: it was in the form discussion and question answer. Teachers’ opinion on various matter.

Sample

Sample comprised of Assistant Professors teaching in S.G.S. B.Ed. College during the academic year, 2015-16. Purposive sampling method was used. The age of sample ranged from 30 to 50 years. All were Females. Having post graduate degree in Education and experience of 3 to 10 years.

[...]