For a modest personality trait, ‘intellectual humility’ packs a punch

‘Intellectual humility’ has been something of a wallflower among personality traits, receiving far less attention than such brash qualities as egotism or hostility. Yet this little-studied characteristic may influence people’s decision-making abilities in politics, health and other arenas, says new research. In a time of high partisanship, intellectual humility — an awareness that one’s beliefs may be wrong — is nonpartisan. Researchers found essentially no difference in levels of the trait between liberals and conservatives.