Behavioral measures of humility: Part 1. Theoretical and methodological review

Abstract

Research on humility has burgeoned. However, behavioral assessments of humility that do not rely on self-reports have developed much more slowly. The purpose of this paper is to take stock of existing approaches to conceptualize and measure humility. Specifically, we provide a conceptual overview of humility, including the limitations of current methodological approaches to studying humility and the need for behavioral assessments. In addition, we argue that behavioral assessments of humility may inform broader measures of virtues by considering both the relevance of and the degree to which actual behaviors pertaining to that virtue are expressed. Understanding the current conceptual and methodological limitations of approaches to humility will better situate research efforts aimed at catalyzing behavioral measures of humility.