Researchers are surprised that humility predicts helpfulness. Interestingly the most helpful

[snagglepuss]

and therefore helpful participants in the study sound like liberals.


snip

"The findings are surprising because in nearly 30 years of research on helping behavior, very few studies have shown any effect of personality variables on helping ... The only other personality trait that has shown any effect is agreeableness, but we found that humility predicted helping over and above that."

snip

The research was carried out with three studies of college students. First the student were asked to evaluate themselves, and those that reported being humble also reported being more helpful. The researchers statistically controlled other factors such as agreeableness to balance the results.

However people are prone to exaggerate and over or under report their own personal traits. So the later research attempted to balance out this problem in the data collection. The second study had the students listen to a recording that was later meant for broadcast on the campus radio station. It recited the story of a student with a leg injury who was unable to attend class regularly. Students were asked how many hours over the next few weeks they could meet with the student to give him assistance. Those that reported being humble generally offered more time than the less humble.

The last study used key words and association in quick succession to have the students analyze themselves. Stimulus words in the humble section included modest, tolerant, down to earth, respectful, and open-minded. Stimulus words in the arrogance portion included immodest, egotistical and conceited.



http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239823.php

[freshwest]

1. Thanks, good read.

[enlightenment]

2. Interesting study -

Though I have to admit my first thought was, 'is it possible for someone to self-report humility?'

Glad to see they followed up the self-reporting with more concrete methods of reaching their conclusion.

[xfundy]

3. Wish they'd also studied students at "Christian" "schools."

Yeah, yeah, I know some people aren't "real christians," but IMO christianity has been taken over by politics, and I can say sincerely that the meanest, most hypocritical, greediest, assholiest people I've known self categorize as "christians."

Don't get mad at me about it.

[quaker bill]

4. I have pondered this nomenclature problem

I would propose "christian soldiers" as a useful term to identify the type. In that our traditional unprogrammed Friends Meetings have no creedal test, Quakers vary greatly in how they describe their faith (or lack thereof). Many would call themselves christian, but some call themselves budhists, wiccans, secular humanists, even atheists. There is no argument or imposition among us over this. The 'christians' among us do not require others to agree or attempt to persuade others. We are in no sense soldiers. We work to be helpful.

[Odin2005]

5. This isn't suprising to me.

Humble people care about others more than themselves, even to the detriment of their own health and well-being. They are the type that live for others, not for themselves.

[bemildred]

6. Next they will prove that arrogance tends to make you an asshole.

Which is , of course, quite true.

[bvar22]

7. Humility is my strongest personality trait.

I am proud to report that I am the most humble person I have ever met.
This is NOT something I was born with.
I had to work very hard most on my life to achieve this level of humility.


This was not an easy task. There were many times I almost gave it up as impossible.
It was even harder for me than anyone else because I was born with so many gifts,
and NOBODY was willing to help me (selfish assholes).
I did it ALL on my own!
Through sheer determination and will power, I was able to SUCCEED, and achieved my goal of superior Humility
after many years of hard work!

If more people would emulate me and my humility,
the World would be a far better place.