Tradeoffs of humility in the face of existential concerns

Abstract

Five preregistered studies (N = 3,789), examined how individual differences in humility and commitment regarding one’s existential beliefs (i.e., existential humility) were associated with different tradeoffs, including defensiveness and well-being. Using latent profile analyses, Study 1 (n = 807) revealed that existential humility is associated with less defensiveness but also lower well-being. Study 2 (n = 617) found evidence for lower defensiveness and greater empathy and prosociality among the existentially humble. Study 3 (n = 787) and Study 4 (n = 791) found that existentially humble participants reported lower well-being and had mixed defensive responses. Study 5 (n = 787) confirmed existential humility was associated with lower defensiveness, greater empathy and prosociality, and lower well-being. Existential humility engenders tradeoffs and may come with some costs.