Thinking with humility: Investigating the role of intellectual humility in critical reasoning performance

Intellectual humility is fundamental in countering dogmatism and excessive confidence in one's beliefs. The present study aims to evaluate how this can influence critical thinking (CT), which is essential for robust evaluation and problem-solving. A sample of 115 university students was assessed for intellectual humility using the Comprehensive Intellectual Humility Scale (CIHS) and their CT performance through a structured test comprising social and mathematical dilemmas. Results demonstrated that individuals with high intellectual humility exhibited superior CT performance compared to those with low levels. Specifically, the greatest differences were observed in the final stages of evaluation, inference, and self-monitoring. No significant interaction effects emerged between context (social vs. mathematical) and intellectual humility, indicating the cross-cutting nature of critical thinking. These findings underscore the importance of intellectual humility in fostering effective critical thinking, highlighting its potential role in enhancing cognitive flexibility and openness to new evidence, particularly in various problem-solving contexts.