The effect of seeing scientists as intellectually humble on trust in scientists and their research

Abstract

Public trust in scientists is critical to our ability to face societal threats. Here, across five pre-registered studies (N = 2,034), we assessed whether perceptions of scientists’ intellectual humility affect perceived trustworthiness of scientists and their research. In study 1, we found that seeing scientists as higher in intellectual humility was associated with greater perceived trustworthiness of scientists and support for science-based beliefs. We then demonstrated that describing a scientist as high (versus low) in intellectual humility increased perceived trustworthiness of the scientist (studies 2–4), belief in their research (studies 2–4), intentions to follow their research-based recommendations (study 3) and information-seeking behaviour (study 4). We further demonstrated that these effects were not moderated by the scientist’s gender (study 3) or race/ethnicity (study 4). In study 5, we experimentally tested communication approaches that scientists can use to convey intellectual humility. These studies reveal the benefits of seeing scientists as intellectually humble across medical, psychological and climate science topics.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

/* style specs start */

/* style specs end */

Buy this article

Purchase on SpringerLink
Instant access to full article PDF

Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

/* style specs start */
style {
display: none !important;
}
.LiveAreaSection * {
align-content: stretch;
align-items: stretch;
align-self: auto;
animation-delay: 0s;
animation-direction: normal;
animation-duration: 0s;
animation-fill-mode: none;
animation-iteration-count: 1;
animation-name: none;
animation-play-state: running;
animation-timing-function: ease;
azimuth: center;
backface-visibility: visible;
background-attachment: scroll;
background-blend-mode: normal;
background-clip: borderBox;
background-color: transparent;
background-image: none;
background-origin: paddingBox;
background-position: 0 0;
background-repeat: repeat;
background-size: auto auto;
block-size: auto;
border-block-end-color: currentcolor;
border-block-end-style: none;
border-block-end-width: medium;
border-block-start-color: currentcolor;
border-block-start-style: none;
border-block-start-width: medium;
border-bottom-color: currentcolor;
border-bottom-left-radius: 0;
border-bottom-right-radius: 0;
border-bottom-style: none;
border-bottom-width: medium;
border-collapse: separate;
border-image-outset: 0s;
border-image-repeat: stretch;
border-image-slice: 100%;
border-image-source: none;
border-image-width: 1;
border-inline-end-color: currentcolor;
border-inline-end-style: none;
border-inline-end-width: medium;
border-inline-start-color: currentcolor;
border-inline-start-style: none;
border-inline-start-width: medium;
border-left-color: currentcolor;
border-left-style: none;
border-left-width: medium;
border-right-color: currentcolor;
border-right-style: none;
border-right-width: medium;
border-spacing: 0;
border-top-color: currentcolor;
border-top-left-radius: 0;
border-top-right-radius: 0;
border-top-style: none;
border-top-width: medium;
bottom: auto;
box-decoration-break: slice;
box-shadow: none;
box-sizing: border-box;
break-after: auto;
break-before: auto;
break-inside: auto;
caption-side: top;
caret-color: auto;
clear: none;
clip: auto;
clip-path: none;
color: initial;
column-count: auto;
column-fill: balance;
column-gap: normal;
column-rule-color: currentcolor;
column-rule-style: none;
column-rule-width: medium;
column-span: none;
column-width: auto;
content: normal;
counter-increment: none;
counter-reset: none;
cursor: auto;
display: inline;
empty-cells: show;
filter: none;
flex-basis: auto;
flex-direction: row;
flex-grow: 0;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-wrap: nowrap;
float: none;
font-family: initial;
font-feature-settings: normal;
font-kerning: auto;
font-language-override: normal;
font-size: medium;
font-size-adjust: none;
font-stretch: normal;
font-style: normal;
font-synthesis: weight style;
font-variant: normal;
font-variant-alternates: normal;
font-variant-caps: normal;
font-variant-east-asian: normal;
font-variant-ligatures: normal;
font-variant-numeric: normal;
font-variant-position: normal;
font-weight: 400;
grid-auto-columns: auto;
grid-auto-flow: row;
grid-auto-rows: auto;
grid-column-end: auto;
grid-column-gap: 0;
grid-column-start: auto;
grid-row-end: auto;
grid-row-gap: 0;
grid-row-start: auto;
grid-template-areas: none;
grid-template-columns: none;
grid-template-rows: none;
height: auto;
hyphens: manual;
image-orientation: 0deg;
image-rendering: auto;
image-resolution: 1dppx;
ime-mode: auto;
inline-size: auto;
isolation: auto;
justify-content: flexStart;
left: auto;
letter-spacing: normal;
line-break: auto;
line-height: normal;
list-style-image: none;
list-style-position: outside;
list-style-type: disc;
margin-block-end: 0;
margin-block-start: 0;
margin-bottom: 0;
margin-inline-end: 0;
margin-inline-start: 0;
margin-left: 0;
margin-right: 0;
margin-top: 0;
mask-clip: borderBox;
mask-composite: add;
mask-image: none;
mask-mode: matchSource;
mask-origin: borderBox;
mask-position: 0 0;
mask-repeat: repeat;
mask-size: auto;
mask-type: luminance;
max-height: none;
max-width: none;
min-block-size: 0;
min-height: 0;
min-inline-size: 0;
min-width: 0;
mix-blend-mode: normal;
object-fit: fill;
object-position: 50% 50%;
offset-block-end: auto;
offset-block-start: auto;
offset-inline-end: auto;
offset-inline-start: auto;
opacity: 1;
order: 0;
orphans: 2;
outline-color: initial;
outline-offset: 0;
outline-style: none;
outline-width: medium;
overflow: visible;
overflow-wrap: normal;
overflow-x: visible;
overflow-y: visible;
padding-block-end: 0;
padding-block-start: 0;
padding-bottom: 0;
padding-inline-end: 0;
padding-inline-start: 0;
padding-left: 0;
padding-right: 0;
padding-top: 0;
page-break-after: auto;
page-break-before: auto;
page-break-inside: auto;
perspective: none;
perspective-origin: 50% 50%;
pointer-events: auto;
position: static;
quotes: initial;
resize: none;
right: auto;
ruby-align: spaceAround;
ruby-merge: separate;
ruby-position: over;
scroll-behavior: auto;
scroll-snap-coordinate: none;
scroll-snap-destination: 0 0;
scroll-snap-points-x: none;
scroll-snap-points-y: none;
scroll-snap-type: none;
shape-image-threshold: 0;
shape-margin: 0;
shape-outside: none;
tab-size: 8;
table-layout: auto;
text-align: initial;
text-align-last: auto;
text-combine-upright: none;
text-decoration-color: currentcolor;
text-decoration-line: none;
text-decoration-style: solid;
text-emphasis-color: currentcolor;
text-emphasis-position: over right;
text-emphasis-style: none;
text-indent: 0;
text-justify: auto;
text-orientation: mixed;
text-overflow: clip;
text-rendering: auto;
text-shadow: none;
text-transform: none;
text-underline-position: auto;
top: auto;
touch-action: auto;
transform: none;
transform-box: borderBox;
transform-origin: 50% 50%0;
transform-style: flat;
transition-delay: 0s;
transition-duration: 0s;
transition-property: all;
transition-timing-function: ease;
vertical-align: baseline;
visibility: visible;
white-space: normal;
widows: 2;
width: auto;
will-change: auto;
word-break: normal;
word-spacing: normal;
word-wrap: normal;
writing-mode: horizontalTb;
z-index: auto;
-webkit-appearance: none;
-moz-appearance: none;
-ms-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
margin: 0;
}
.LiveAreaSection {
width: 100%;
}
.LiveAreaSection .login-option-buybox {
display: block;
width: 100%;
font-size: 17px;
line-height: 30px;
color: #222;
padding-top: 30px;
font-family: Harding, Palatino, serif;
}
.LiveAreaSection .additional-access-options {
display: block;
font-weight: 700;
font-size: 17px;
line-height: 30px;
color: #222;
font-family: Harding, Palatino, serif;
}
.LiveAreaSection .additional-login > li:not(:first-child)::before {
transform: translateY(-50%);
content: “”;
height: 1rem;
position: absolute;
top: 50%;
left: 0;
border-left: 2px solid #999;
}
.LiveAreaSection .additional-login > li:not(:first-child) {
padding-left: 10px;
}
.LiveAreaSection .additional-login > li {
display: inline-block;
position: relative;
vertical-align: middle;
padding-right: 10px;
}
.BuyBoxSection {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
flex: 1;
flex-direction: row-reverse;
margin: -30px -15px 0;
}
.BuyBoxSection .box-inner {
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
padding: 30px 5px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
justify-content: space-between;
}
.BuyBoxSection p {
margin: 0;
}
.BuyBoxSection .readcube-buybox {
background-color: #f3f3f3;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-grow: 1;
flex-basis: 255px;
background-clip: content-box;
padding: 0 15px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .subscribe-buybox {
background-color: #f3f3f3;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-grow: 4;
flex-basis: 300px;
background-clip: content-box;
padding: 0 15px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .subscribe-buybox-nature-plus {
background-color: #f3f3f3;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-grow: 4;
flex-basis: 100%;
background-clip: content-box;
padding: 0 15px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .title-readcube,
.BuyBoxSection .title-buybox {
display: block;
margin: 0;
margin-right: 10%;
margin-left: 10%;
font-size: 24px;
line-height: 32px;
color: #222;
text-align: center;
font-family: Harding, Palatino, serif;
}
.BuyBoxSection .title-asia-buybox {
display: block;
margin: 0;
margin-right: 5%;
margin-left: 5%;
font-size: 24px;
line-height: 32px;
color: #222;
text-align: center;
font-family: Harding, Palatino, serif;
}
.BuyBoxSection .asia-link,
.Link-328123652,
.Link-2926870917,
.Link-2291679238,
.Link-595459207 {
color: #069;
cursor: pointer;
text-decoration: none;
font-size: 1.05em;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.05em6;
}
.BuyBoxSection .access-readcube {
display: block;
margin: 0;
margin-right: 10%;
margin-left: 10%;
font-size: 14px;
color: #222;
padding-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 20px;
}
.BuyBoxSection ul {
margin: 0;
}
.BuyBoxSection .link-usp {
display: list-item;
margin: 0;
margin-left: 20px;
padding-top: 6px;
list-style-position: inside;
}
.BuyBoxSection .link-usp span {
font-size: 14px;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 20px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .access-asia-buybox {
display: block;
margin: 0;
margin-right: 5%;
margin-left: 5%;
font-size: 14px;
color: #222;
padding-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 20px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .access-buybox {
display: block;
margin: 0;
margin-right: 10%;
margin-left: 10%;
font-size: 14px;
color: #222;
opacity: 0.8px;
padding-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 20px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .price-buybox {
display: block;
font-size: 30px;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
padding-top: 30px;
text-align: center;
}
.BuyBoxSection .price-buybox-to {
display: block;
font-size: 30px;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
text-align: center;
}
.BuyBoxSection .price-info-text {
font-size: 16px;
padding-right: 10px;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
}
.BuyBoxSection .price-value {
font-size: 30px;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
}
.BuyBoxSection .price-per-period {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
}
.BuyBoxSection .price-from {
font-size: 14px;
padding-right: 10px;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 20px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .issue-buybox {
display: block;
font-size: 13px;
text-align: center;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 19px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .no-price-buybox {
display: block;
font-size: 13px;
line-height: 18px;
text-align: center;
padding-right: 10%;
padding-left: 10%;
padding-bottom: 20px;
padding-top: 30px;
color: #222;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
}
.BuyBoxSection .vat-buybox {
display: block;
margin-top: 5px;
margin-right: 20%;
margin-left: 20%;
font-size: 11px;
color: #222;
padding-top: 10px;
padding-bottom: 15px;
text-align: center;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: 17px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .tax-buybox {
display: block;
width: 100%;
color: #222;
padding: 20px 16px;
text-align: center;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
line-height: NaNpx;
}
.BuyBoxSection .button-container {
display: flex;
padding-right: 20px;
padding-left: 20px;
justify-content: center;
}
.BuyBoxSection .button-container > * {
flex: 1px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .button-container > a:hover,
.Button-505204839:hover,
.Button-1078489254:hover,
.Button-2737859108:hover {
text-decoration: none;
}
.BuyBoxSection .btn-secondary {
background: #fff;
}
.BuyBoxSection .button-asia {
background: #069;
border: 1px solid #069;
border-radius: 0;
cursor: pointer;
display: block;
padding: 9px;
outline: 0;
text-align: center;
text-decoration: none;
min-width: 80px;
margin-top: 75px;
}
.BuyBoxSection .button-label-asia,
.ButtonLabel-3869432492,
.ButtonLabel-3296148077,
.ButtonLabel-1636778223 {
display: block;
color: #fff;
font-size: 17px;
line-height: 20px;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,
Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, “Helvetica Neue”, sans-serif;
text-align: center;
text-decoration: none;
cursor: pointer;
}
.Button-505204839,
.Button-1078489254,
.Button-2737859108 {
background: #069;
border: 1px solid #069;
border-radius: 0;
cursor: pointer;
display: block;
padding: 9px;
outline: 0;
text-align: center;
text-decoration: none;
min-width: 80px;
max-width: 320px;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.Button-505204839 .btn-secondary-label,
.Button-1078489254 .btn-secondary-label,
.Button-2737859108 .btn-secondary-label {
color: #069;
}
.uList-2102244549 {
list-style: none;
padding: 0;
margin: 0;
}
/* style specs end */

**Fig. 1: The association of perceived IH of scientists and outcomes.**

**Fig. 2: Perceived IH of scientists separated by political orientation.**

**Fig. 3: Differences in perceived trustworthiness and belief in research for studies 2–4.**

**Fig. 4: Differences in perceived IH, trust and belief in research by condition.**

Data Availability

Anonymized data are available at OSF (https://osf.io/d3xua/?view_only=0ebe5366331f497da7c78a7c874c2961).

Code Availability

Code is available at OSF (https://osf.io/d3xua/?view_only=0ebe5366331f497da7c78a7c874c2961).

References

Krause, N. M., Brossard, D., Scheufele, D. A., Xenos, M. A. & Franke, K. Trends—Americans’ trust in science and scientists. Public Opin. Q. 83, 817–836 (2019).

Google Scholar
Kennedy, B., Tyson, A. & Funk, C. Americans’ trust in scientists, other groups declines. Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/02/15/americans-trust-in-scientists-other-groups-declines/ (2022).
Funk, C. Key findings about Americans’ confidence in science and their views on scientists’ role in society. Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/12/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society/ (2020).
Gauchat, G. Politicization of science in the public sphere: a study of public trust in the United States, 1974 to 2010. Am. Sociol. Rev. 77, 167–187 (2012).

Article

Google Scholar
Koetke, J., Schumann, K. & Porter, T. Trust in science increases conservative support for social distancing. Group Process. Intergr. Relat. 24, 680–697 (2021).

Article

Google Scholar
Fazio, R. H. et al. Social distancing decreases an individual’s likelihood of contracting COVID-19. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 118, e2023131118 (2021).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
Algan, Y., Cohen, D., Davoine, E., Foucault, M. & Stantcheva, S. Trust in scientists in times of pandemic: panel evidence from 12 countries. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 118, e2108576118 (2021).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
Hornsey, M. J., Harris, E. A., Bain, P. G. & Fielding, K. S. Meta-analyses of the determinants and outcomes of belief in climate change. Nat. Clim. Change 6, 622–626 (2016).

Article

Google Scholar
Cologna, V., Berthold, A. & Siegrist, M. Knowledge, perceived potential and trust as determinants of low-and high-impact pro-environmental behaviours. J. Environ. Psychol. 79, 101741 (2022).

Article

Google Scholar
Hornsey, M. J. Why facts are not enough: understanding and managing the motivated rejection of science. Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci. 29, 583–591 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Lewandowsky, S. & Oberauer, K. Motivated rejection of science. Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci. 25, 217–222 (2016).

Article

Google Scholar
Fielding, K. S. & Hornsey, M. J. A social identity analysis of climate change and environmental attitudes and behaviors: Insights and opportunities. Front. Psychol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00121 (2016).
van der Linden, S. The social-psychological determinants of climate change risk perceptions: towards a comprehensive model. J. Environ. Psychol. 41, 112–124 (2015).

Article

Google Scholar
Washburn, A. N. & Skitka, L. J. Science denial across the political divide: liberals and conservatives are similarly motivated to deny attitude-inconsistent science. Soc. Psychol. Pers. Sci. 9, 972–980 (2018).

Article

Google Scholar
Upenieks, L., Ford-Robertson, J. & Robertson, J. E. Trust in God and/or science? Sociodemographic differences in the effects of beliefs in an engaged god and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine. J. Relig. Health 61, 657–686 (2022).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Jamieson, K. H., McNutt, M., Kiermer, V. & Sever, R. Signaling the trustworthiness of science. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 116, 19231–19236 (2019).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
Lewandowsky, S. & Oberauer, K. Worldview-motivated rejection of science and the norms of science. Cognition 215, 104820 (2021).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Rutjens, B. T. & Heine, S. J. The immoral landscape? Scientists are associated with violations of morality. PLoS ONE 11, e0152798 (2016).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Hannikainen, I. R. Ideology between the lines: lay inferences about scientists’ values and motives. Soc. Psychol. Pers. Sci. 10, 832–841 (2019).

Article

Google Scholar
Hornsey, M. J., Harris, E. A. & Fielding, K. S. Relationships among conspiratorial beliefs, conservatism and climate scepticism across nations. Nat. Clim. Change 8, 614–620 (2018).

Article

Google Scholar
Lewandowsky, S., Gignac, G. E. & Oberauer, K. The role of conspiracist ideation and worldviews in predicting rejection of science. PLoS ONE 8, e75637 (2013).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
van der Linden, S. The conspiracy-effect: exposure to conspiracy theories (about global warming) decreases pro-social behavior and science acceptance. Pers. Individ. Differ. 87, 171–173 (2015).

Article

Google Scholar
Kampourakis, K. & McCain, K. Uncertainty: How It Makes Science Advance (Oxford Univ. Press, 2019).
Latour, B. & Woolgar, S. Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific Facts (Princeton Univ. Press, 2013).
Van Der Bles, A. M., van der Linden, S., Freeman, A. L. & Spiegelhalter, D. J. The effects of communicating uncertainty on public trust in facts and numbers. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 117, 7672–7683 (2020).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Hutcherson, C. A. et al. On the accuracy, media representation, and public perception of psychological scientists’ judgments of societal change. Am. Psychol 78, 968–981 (2023).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
The Forecasting Collaborative. Insights into the accuracy of social scientists’ forecasts of societal change. Nat. Hum. Behav. 7, 484–50 (2023).

Google Scholar
Roberts, S. O., Bareket-Shavit, C., Dollins, F. A., Goldie, P. D. & Mortenson, E. Racial inequality in psychological research: trends of the past and recommendations for the future. Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 15, 1295–1309 (2020).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Breznau, N. et al. Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 119, e2203150119 (2022).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
Hardwig, J. The role of trust in knowledge. J. Philos. 88, 693–708 (1991).

Article

Google Scholar
Besley, J. C. & Tiffany, L. A. What are you assessing when you measure “trust” in scientists with a direct measure? Public Underst. Sci. 32, 709–726 (2023).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Hendriks, F., Kienhues, D. & Bromme, R. Measuring laypeople’s trust in experts in a digital age: the Muenster Epistemic Trustworthiness Inventory (METI). PLoS ONE 10, e0139309 (2015).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Hoekstra, R. & Vazire, S. Aspiring to greater intellectual humility in science. Nat. Hum. Behav. 5, 1602–1607 (2021).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Nosek, B. A. et al. Preregistration is hard, and worthwhile. Trends Cogn. Sci. 23, 815–818 (2019).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Porter, T. et al. Predictors and consequences of intellectual humility. Nat. Rev. Psychol. 1, 524–536 (2022).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Porter, T. et al. Clarifying the content of intellectual humility: a systematic review and integrative framework. J. Pers. Assess 104, 573–585 (2021).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Davis, D. E. et al. Distinguishing intellectual humility and general humility. J. Posit. Psychol. 11, 215–224 (2016).

Article

Google Scholar
Plohl, N. & Musil, B. Assessing the incremental value of intellectual humility and cognitive reflection in predicting trust in science. Pers. Individ. Differ. 214, 112340 (2023).

Article

Google Scholar
Vaupotič, N., Kienhues, D. & Jucks, R. Complexity appreciated: how the communication of complexity impacts topic-specific intellectual humility and epistemic trustworthiness. Public Underst. Sci. 33, 740–756 (2024).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Altenmüller, M. S., Nuding, S. & Gollwitzer, M. No harm in being self-corrective: self-criticism and reform intentions increase researchers’ epistemic trustworthiness and credibility in the eyes of the public. Public Underst. Sci. 30, 962–976 (2021).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Schneider, J., Rosman, T., Kelava, A. & Merk, S. Do open-science badges increase trust in scientists among undergraduates, scientists, and the public? Psychol. Sci. 33, 1588–1604 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Gustafson, A. & Rice, R. E. A review of the effects of uncertainty in public science communication. Public Underst. Sci. 29, 614–633 (2020).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Howe, L. C., MacInnis, B., Krosnick, J. A., Markowitz, E. M. & Socolow, R. Acknowledging uncertainty impacts public acceptance of climate scientists’ predictions. Nat. Clim. Change 9, 863–867 (2019).

Article

Google Scholar
Huynh, H. P., Dicke-Bohmann, A. & Nelson, C. What do humble doctors do? A conceptualization of clinician humility from the patient’s perspective. Patient Educ. Couns. 104, 3066–3071 (2021).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Koetke, J., Schumann, K. & Porter, T. Intellectual humility predicts scrutiny of COVID-19 misinformation. Soc. Psychol. Pers. Sci. 13, 277–284 (2022).

Article

Google Scholar
Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J., Haggard, M. C., LaBouff, J. P. & Rowatt, W. C. Links between intellectual humility and acquiring knowledge. J. Posit. Psychol. 15, 155–170 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Bowes, S. M., Ringwood, A. & Tasimi, A. Is intellectual humility related to more accuracy and less overconfidence? J. Posit. Psychol. 19, 538–553 (2023).

Article

Google Scholar
Wong, I. H. & Wong, T. T. Exploring the relationship between intellectual humility and academic performance among post-secondary students: The mediating roles of learning motivation and receptivity to feedback. Learn. Individ. Differ. 88, 102012 (2021).

Article

Google Scholar
Porter, T., Schumann, K., Selmeczy, D. & Trzesniewski, K. Intellectual humility predicts mastery behaviors when learning. Learn. Individ. Differ. 80, 101888 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Porter, T. & Schumann, K. Intellectual humility and openness to the opposing view. Self Identity 17, 139–162 (2018).

Article

Google Scholar
Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J. Intellectual humility and prosocial values: direct and mediated effects. J. Posit. Psychol. 12, 13–28 (2017).

Article

Google Scholar
Hagá, S. & Olson, K. R. ‘If I only had a little humility, I would be perfect’: children’s and adults’ perceptions of intellectually arrogant, humble, and diffident people. J. Posit. Psychol. 12, 87–98 (2017).

Article

Google Scholar
Meagher, B. R., Leman, J. C., Heidenga, C. A., Ringquist, M. R. & Rowatt, W. C. Intellectual humility in conversation: distinct behavioral indicators of self and peer ratings. J. Posit. Psychol. 16, 417–429 (2021).

Article

Google Scholar
van den Bergh, D. et al. A tutorial on conducting and interpreting a Bayesian ANOVA in JASP. L’Année Psychol. 120, 73–96 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Van Doorn, J. et al. The JASP guidelines for conducting and reporting a Bayesian analysis. Psychon. Bull. Rev. 28, 813–826 (2021).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J. & Rouse, S. V. The development and validation of the comprehensive intellectual humility scale. J. Pers. Assess. 98, 209–221 (2016).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Bowes, S. M., Blanchard, M. C., Costello, T. H., Abramowitz, A. I. & Lilienfeld, S. O. Intellectual humility and between-party animus: implications for affective polarization in two community samples. J. Res. Pers. 88, 103992 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Koetke, J. & Schumann, K. Is intellectual humility polarized too? A systematic examination of intellectual humility, political orientation, and strength of political belief. J. Posit. Psychol. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2024.2352739 (2024).
Cohen, J. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (Routledge, 2013).
D’Errico, F., Bull, P., Lamponi, E. & Leone, G. Humility expression and its effects on moral suasion: an empirical study of Ocasio-Cortez’s communication. Hum. Aff. 32, 101–117 (2022).

Article

Google Scholar
Moon, S. H. & Sandage, S. J. Cultural humility for people of color: critique of current theory and practice. J. Psychol. Theol. 47, 76–86 (2019).

Article

Google Scholar
Sandage, S. J. & Hee An, C. Intellectual humility in applied sociocultural contexts: a reply to Ballantyne. J. Posit. Psychol. 18, 280–283 (2023).

Article

Google Scholar
Priebe, C. & Van Tongeren, D. R. Women pay a steeper price for arrogance: examining presentation style, gender, and humility. J. Posit. Psychol. 18, 121–129 (2023).

Article

Google Scholar
Eaton, A. A., Saunders, J. F., Jacobson, R. K. & West, K. How gender and race stereotypes impact the advancement of scholars in STEM: professors’ biased evaluations of physics and biology post-doctoral candidates. Sex. Roles 82, 127–141 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Moss-Racusin, C. A., Dovidio, J. F., Brescoll, V. L., Graham, M. J. & Handelsman, J. Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 109, 16474–16479 (2012).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
Petsko, C. D. & Rosette, A. S. Are leaders still presumed white by default? Racial bias in leader categorization revisited. J. Appl. Psychol. 108, 330–340 (2023).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Allcott, H., Braghieri, L., Eichmeyer, S. & Gentzkow, M. The welfare effects of social media. Am. Econ. Rev. 110, 629–676 (2020).

Article

Google Scholar
Petersen, M. B., Bor, A., Jørgensen, F. & Lindholt, M. F. Transparent communication about negative features of COVID-19 vaccines decreases acceptance but increases trust. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 118, e2024597118 (2021).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
CAS

Google Scholar
Kerr, J. R., Schneider, C. R., Freeman, A. L., Marteau, T. & van der Linden, S. Transparent communication of evidence does not undermine public trust in evidence. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA Nexus 1, pgac280 (2022).

Google Scholar
Hanel, P. H. & Vione, K. C. Do student samples provide an accurate estimate of the general public? PLoS ONE 11, e0168354 (2016).

Article
PubMed
PubMed Central

Google Scholar
Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A.-G. & Buchner, A. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav. Res. Methods 39, 175–191 (2007).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Bruder, M., Haffke, P., Neave, N., Nouripanah, N. & Imhoff, R. Measuring individual differences in generic beliefs in conspiracy theories across cultures: conspiracy mentality questionnaire. Front. Psychol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00225 (2013).
Rutjens, B. T., Sutton, R. M. & van der Lee, R. Not all skepticism is equal: exploring the ideological antecedents of science acceptance and rejection. Personal. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 44, 384–405 (2018).

Article

Google Scholar
Patel, N., Baker, S. G. & Scherer, L. D. Evaluating the cognitive reflection test as a measure of intuition/reflection, numeracy, and insight problem solving, and the implications for understanding real-world judgments and beliefs. J. Exp. Psychol. Gen. 148, 2129–2153 (2019).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar
Soto, C. J. & John, O. P. Short and extra-short forms of the Big Five Inventory 2: the BFI-2-S and BFI-2-XS. J. Res. Personal. 68, 69–81 (2017).

Article

Google Scholar
Reysen, S. Construction of a new scale: the Reysen likability scale. Soc. Behav. Pers. Int. J. 33, 201–208 (2005).

Article

Google Scholar
Cuddy, A. J., Fiske, S. T. & Glick, P. The BIAS map: behaviors from intergroup affect and stereotypes. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 92, 631–648 (2007).

Article
PubMed

Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant no. 1917920 awarded to K.S. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. We would like to thank the anonymous IH researchers who provided communication strategies for study 5. We would also like to thank everyone who provided feedback on this project including members of the University of Pittsburgh Social Psychology programme.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Jonah Koetke & Karina Schumann
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

Shauna M. Bowes
University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Nina Vaupotič

Authors

Jonah Koetke

View author publications

You can also search for this author in
PubMed Google Scholar
Karina Schumann

View author publications

You can also search for this author in
PubMed Google Scholar
Shauna M. Bowes

View author publications

You can also search for this author in
PubMed Google Scholar
Nina Vaupotič

View author publications

You can also search for this author in
PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

J.K., K.S., S.M.B. and N.V. designed the studies. J.K. and K.S. collected the data. J.K. analysed the data. J.K. and K.S. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. N.V. and S.M.B. provided comments on and edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to
Jonah Koetke.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Peer review

Peer review information

Nature Human Behaviour thanks Rainer Bromme, Ho Phi Huynh, Niels Mede and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Tables 1–108, Figs. 1–11 and discussion.

Reporting Summary

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Koetke, J., Schumann, K., Bowes, S.M. et al. The effect of seeing scientists as intellectually humble on trust in scientists and their research.
Nat Hum Behav (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02060-x

Download citation

Received: 18 February 2024
Accepted: 10 October 2024
Published: 18 November 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02060-x

Daily News

The effect of seeing scientists as intellectually humble on trust in scientists and their research

Abstract

Access options

Data Availability

Code Availability

References

Acknowledgements

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Contributions

Corresponding author

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

Peer review

Peer review information

Additional information

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Reporting Summary

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The effect of seeing scientists as intellectually humble on trust in scientists and their research

Abstract

Access options

Data Availability

Code Availability

References

Acknowledgements

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Contributions

Corresponding author

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

Peer review

Peer review information

Additional information

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Reporting Summary

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Share this article

Leave a Reply Cancel reply