Humility: Theoretical Perspectives, Empirical Findings and Directions for Future Research

Humility is a neglected virtue in the social and psychological sciences. Virtually no empirical research directly has addressed this long-revered construct. In this article, contrasting conceptions of humility are reviewed. Although humility frequently is equated with a sense of unworthiness and low self-regard, theoreticians view true humility as a rich, multifaceted construct that entails an accurate assessment of one's characteristics, an ability to acknowledge limitations, and a “forgetting of the self.” Scientific study of the nature and implications of humility is still in its infancy. Work in this area would be greatly enhanced by the development of theoretically informed measures of humility. Closely related constructs (self-esteem, modesty, and narcissism) are discussed, along with future directions for research.