Vallabha, S., & Brandt, M. J. (2024, April 5).
PsyArXiv
Abstract
Political and intergroup conflicts are often rooted in moral differences. People claim their side to be morally superior and derogate moral outgroups. Therefore, we propose that moral humility, a domain-specific form of humility, might serve as one antidote to such morally fueled conflicts. We test this in the context of political polarization in the USA. Across 3 studies involving diverse national and student samples (N = 2766), we found higher moral humility to be linked to reduced political animosity, increased support for political compromise and pluralistic norms, greater empathy and respect for the political outgroup, greater perceptions of the political group as moral and non-threatening, amongst others. Importantly, these effects persisted after accounting for domain-general intellectual humility, moral relativism, political identity and extremity, and other controls. This research demonstrates moral humility’s relevance for understanding political polarization, and points the way for a strength-based approach to addressing conflicts.
Here are some thoughts:
This research explores the concept of moral humility and its potential to reduce political polarization and intergroup conflicts. The study found that individuals with higher moral humility demonstrated reduced political animosity, increased support for political compromise and pluralistic norms, greater empathy and respect for political outgroups, and improved perceptions of political outgroups as moral and non-threatening. These effects persisted even after controlling for factors like intellectual humility, moral relativism, and political identity.
This research is important to mental health professionals for several reasons. Understanding moral humility can help therapists develop strategies to address the psychological impacts of political polarization on their clients and improve interpersonal relationships. The findings suggest that cultivating moral humility could help individuals navigate conflicts more effectively in both personal and professional settings. Mental health professionals can use insights from this research to help clients develop greater empathy and respect for those with differing viewpoints, as well as recognize and mitigate their own biases and moral righteousness, leading to more balanced thinking.
Understanding moral humility can help prevent individuals from engaging in harmful behaviors justified by moral superiority. Encouraging moral humility can support clients in their journey of self-improvement and moral development. Furthermore, mental health professionals can apply these findings to develop interventions that promote constructive dialogue and reduce societal tensions. By incorporating the concept of moral humility into their practice, mental health professionals can better equip their clients to navigate the complexities of modern social and political landscapes while fostering personal growth and improved interpersonal relationships.
