Clarifying the Content of Intellectual Humility: A Systematic Review and Integrative Framework

During the last decade, intellectual humility has gone from a topic of philosophical inquiry to one of serious scientific investigation. It has been variously described as a remedy for political polarization, a tool for advancing scientific credibility, and a disposition that promotes learning. However, less attention has been paid to how intellectual humility has been defined and measured or how well psychologists' definitions and measures align with one another or with philosophers' accounts. Through a systematic review of empirical intellectual humility research, we identified 18 separate definitions and 20 measures including16 unique questionnaires. We then synthesized this research to advance a new framework of intellectual humility. Implications of this framework for measurement and future research on intellectual humility are discussed.

Automated summary

Intellectual humility has transitioned from philosophical inquiry to scientific investigation in the past decade, with varied descriptions such as a solution for political polarization and a facilitator of learning. A systematic review revealed multiple definitions and measures, leading to the proposal of a new framework for intellectual humility. Discussions on implications for measurement and future research are emphasized.