Intellectual humility and prosocial values: Direct and mediated effects

Abstract

Research has established links between humility and prosocial outcomes. This study examined, with self-report data, whether humility with regard to one’s knowledge would be predictive of prosocial values. Consistent with hypotheses, intellectual humility was associated with higher levels of empathy, gratitude, altruism, benevolence, and universalism, and lower levels of power seeking. Analyses supported empathy and gratitude as mediators between intellectual humility and prosocial values. These findings leave open the possibility that intellectual humility may be a precursor to links previously established between empathy and gratitude and prosocial outcomes. Characteristics of intellectual humility such as recognizing one’s cognitive limits, having a non-defensive stance toward one’s beliefs, and respecting others’ viewpoints may put one in a unique position to experience empathy and gratitude, and by extension, a host of prosocial values. Future research would be required to examine whether intellectual humility is a possible point of intervention for promoting positive social interactions.

Keywords:

• Intellectual humility
• open-mindedness
• empathy
• gratitude
• altruism
• mediation

Acknowledgements

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fuller Thrive Center or the John Templeton Foundation.

Funding

This work was supported by the Fuller Theological Seminary/Thrive Center in concert with the John Templeton Foundation [grant number IH 102].

Notes

1. However, note that some ancient Greek philosophers, such as Aristotle, did not consider humility itself to be a virtue.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fuller Theological Seminary/Thrive Center in concert with the John Templeton Foundation [grant number IH 102].