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Intellectual Humility Quiz

Are you willing to concede if you don’t know something? Or do you get defensive when someone questions your beliefs?

Your answers might say a lot about how much “intellectual humility” you have. According to researchers, intellectual humility centers on recognizing the limitations of your own knowledge and beliefs, and it is linked to many benefits.

It can help you to learn new things and make you curious, instead of combative, when confronted with opposing views. There’s evidence that it can strengthen your relationships and help you build bridges with diverse groups of people–a skill we need more than ever. During a time of intense political polarization, intellectual humility may provide us with a constructive way forward.

This quiz, which is drawn from three scientifically validated scales, aims to measure your intellectual humility. Please answer the first 11 questions below honestly; there are no right or wrong answers. The last seven questions are about you, and will be used to explore how intellectual humility relates to factors like age and gender.

When you're done, you'll get your score, learn more about the benefits of intellectual humility, and find resources to help you recognize your own limitations and be more open to other points of view.

Quizzes like this one are not the last word on your abilities. Instead, take them as an invitation to reflect on your strengths and on areas where you might improve.

Any responses submitted here will never be shared with any organization outside the Greater Good Science Center under any circumstances, ever. All responses are anonymized and only used in aggregate for evaluation purposes.

 
1. Before forming a strong opinion, I prefer to review evidence and different viewpoints.
Before forming a strong opinion, I prefer to review evidence and different viewpoints.
2. I have at times changed opinions that were important to me, when presented with new evidence.
I have at times changed opinions that were important to me, when presented with new evidence.
3. I can recognize the evidence supporting opinions that are different from my own.
I can recognize the evidence supporting opinions that are different from my own.
4. I acknowledge that my beliefs and attitudes may be incorrect.
I acknowledge that my beliefs and attitudes may be incorrect.
5. I'm careful to calibrate the strength of my opinions to the strength of the evidence I have.
I'm careful to calibrate the strength of my opinions to the strength of the evidence I have.
6. I am willing to admit it if I don’t know something.
I am willing to admit it if I don’t know something.
7. I welcome different ways of thinking about important topics.
I welcome different ways of thinking about important topics.
8. Even when I disagree with others, I can recognize that they have sound points.
Even when I disagree with others, I can recognize that they have sound points.
9. I have a hard time admitting when one of my beliefs is mistaken.
I have a hard time admitting when one of my beliefs is mistaken.
10. I am willing to hear others out, even if I disagree with them.
I am willing to hear others out, even if I disagree with them.
11. I tend to feel threatened when others disagree with me on topics that are close to my heart.
I tend to feel threatened when others disagree with me on topics that are close to my heart.
12. What is your age?
What is your age?
13. Please select your ethnic background (if you identify with more than one ethnicity, select the one you identify with the most, or select multiethnic).
Please select your ethnic background (if you identify with more than one ethnicity, select the one you identify with the most, or select multiethnic).
14. In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
15. What describes your highest level of education?
What describes your highest level of education?
16. Which best describes the neighborhood in which you live?
Which best describes the neighborhood in which you live?
17. Please provide your best estimate of your annual household income in USD (before taxes).
Please provide your best estimate of your annual household income in USD (before taxes).
18. How would you describe your political views?
How would you describe your political views?