Title

Is modesty a subdomain of humility?

School/Department

Rosemead School of Psychology

Publication Date

12-18-2015

Abstract

Although many scholars have sharply distinguished humility from modesty, several research teams recently conceptualized modesty as a subdomain of humility. In the present study, we compare these competing conceptualizations using confirmatory factor analyses. In Study 1, a model with general humility (i.e. second-order factor) predicting the subscales of the Relational Humility Scale (RHS) and the Modesty facet of the HEXACO-PI showed adequate fit; and modesty showed one of the stronger factor loadings on the higher order factor. In Study 2, we used a set of items designed to sharpen the potential distinction between modesty (i.e. interpersonal behavior involving moderating attention to self) and humility. Then, we tested a model with a general humility factor (i.e. second-order factor) predicting subscales of the RHS and modesty items. Once again, modesty items loaded strongly on the higher order factor.

Keywords

Humility; Modesty;

Publication Title

The Journal of Positive Psychology

Volume

11

Issue

4

First Page

439

Last Page

446

DOI of Published Version

10.1080/17439760.2015.1117130

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