Psychological Flexibility as a Potential Mechanism to Promote Intellectual Humility: A Pilot Study

Despite growing interest in intellectual humility (IH), which is the ability to recognize the limits of your knowledge, there is still little research on how to actively develop it, especially through self-guided programs. This pilot study tests a three-week online program designed to help adults become more intellectually humble by improving psychological flexibility (PF), which is the ability to accept thoughts and feelings without letting them control behavior. Up to 30 adults who are experiencing stress in their relationships will first attend a brief online orientation. Then, over three weeks, they will complete weekly online modules that include exercises based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), such as reflecting on personal values, noticing thoughts without judgment, and practicing mindfulness. These exercises are designed to increase PF, which we are proposing could promote IH. The study will examine whether the program is practical and engaging, for example by tracking how easy it is to recruit participants, how many complete the program, and how much they engage with the exercises. Participants will also provide feedback through questionnaires and open-ended responses to show how acceptable and useful they find the program. The findings will be used to improve both the program and the study procedures before testing it in a larger group of people.