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Arrogant People Are Less Helpful

Humility apparently teaches everyone to be more helpful

Jan 3, 2012 13:37 GMT  ·  By
Humility makes people more likely to help others, which in turn makes them more appreciated by their peers
   Humility makes people more likely to help others, which in turn makes them more appreciated by their peers

The conclusions of a new scientific study on the issue indicate that people who are more humble are also more willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Conversely, arrogant people are less likely to do so, even when they are asked for their help directly.

The research continues an older line of study, meant to determine how certain personality traits influence our everyday lives and our interactions with the people around us. For instance, a similar investigation revealed that some personality traits can be linked with increased generosity.

One of the most interesting things researchers learned in the investigation was that people who are humble know that their humility does not equal low self-esteem, and does not imply them thinking of themselves in less favorable terms.

The investigation was conducted by experts at the University of Maine, who were led by researcher Jordan LaBouff. He participated in the study while at the Baylor University, LiveScience reports.

“Rather than being insecure or reserved, humble people seem to be characterized by an accurate view of themselves, understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and comfort[able] with them,” he says.

Details of the study were published in this week's online issue of the medical Journal of Positive Psychology. This is just the latest work to provide some critical insight into the positive aspects and benefits of humility.

In an upcoming study, to be published in a forthcoming issue of the Academy of Management Journal, researchers even learned that humble leaders tended to be more liked by their followers or employees than those who advertised their achievements – however founded – all over the place.

“The only other personality trait that has shown any effect [on helping behavior] is agreeableness, but we found that humility predicted helping over and above that,” LaBouff says. In total, he and his team completed 3 studies on humility.

Because humble people tend to display such low self-focus, they literally have more attention, time and resources to help out those in need. This may also contribute to making these individuals well liked in their social circles.

“If we can increase humility, either in the short term or the long term, we might be able to increase those pro-social behaviors,” LaBouff concludes.