Abstract

Humility is a psychological characteristic marked by a balanced, accurate self-concept and pronounced focus on other people rather than oneself (Tangney, 2000). We propose that humility is characterized by five hallmarks, or observable markers: (a) a secure and accepting self-identity; (b) freedom from distortion about one’s strengths and weaknesses; (c) openness to new information about oneself and the world; (d) high focus on others relative to the self; and (e) a belief that other people are equally worthy (Chancellor & Lyubomirsky, 2013). Each hallmark must be present, but none is individually sufficient for a person to be humble. These hallmarks thus both define humility and differentiate it from what it is not. In particular, the opposite of humility is high self-focus, including an excessively positive (e.g., narcissism or arrogance) or negative (e.g., depression or low self-esteem) self-view. Further, under this hallmarks-based definition, humility can be distinguished from modesty. Although humble people are frequently modest, they may sometimes behave immodestly when speaking frankly about their genuine strengths and accomplishments. Additionally, narcissistic individuals may behave outwardly modestly for self-presentational purposes while maintaining an inwardly inflated self-worth. As such, humility is neither merely the absence of arrogance nor the presence of modesty.