Development of the Experiences of Humility Scale

Abstract

In three studies, we developed the Experiences of Humility Scale (EHS). In Study 1, we used exploratory factor analysis to determine the factor structure and to reduce items in a sample of undergraduates (N = 200). The EHS had four subscales: Other-orientation, Transcendence, Awareness of Selfishness, and Awareness of Egotism. Study 2 involved an experiment with a second sample of college students (N = 106) that provided initial evidence of construct validity. Participants assigned to a Meaning Condition (i.e., writing about a most meaningful event) reported lower levels of awareness of egotism and selfishness than did participants assigned to a Neutral Condition. In Study 3, with a third sample of college students (N = 155), we replicated the factor structure of the EHS using confirmatory factor analysis and evaluated additional evidence of construct validity. As predicted, the EHS subscales predicted constructs associated with spiritual connection and meaning. Likewise, providing evidence of discriminant validity, the EHS subscales were only moderately related to traits of humility, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Christian meditation for repetitive negative thinking: A multisite randomized trial examining the effects of a 4-week preventative program.

“…EHS, we reverse scored the "Selfishness" and "Egotism" subscale items, given they emphasize being "needy," "preoccupied," and so on (Davis et al, 2017). In the current study, Cronbach's ␣ was .79 for Week 1 and .77 for Week 4 for the entire sample.…”

“Unknowing” in the 21st century: Humble detachment for Christians with repetitive negative thinking.

“…Sample items include "[I'm] more focused on others." "[I'm] part of something bigger than myself," "[I'm] 'small' in a good way," and "I've been too concerned with myself," and test-takers answer the 12 items in the context of "their most significant spiritual experience" (Davis et al, 2017). In the original validation study, the subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency, and were linked to intrinsic religiousness and religious commitment (Davis et al, 2017).…”

“…The EHS is a 12-item measure of state humility, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale (1 ϭ strongly disagree to 5 ϭ strongly agree; Davis et al, 2017). The scale taps into several ingredients of humility, including four subscales: being "more focused on others" (Other-Orientation), "part of something bigger than myself" (Transcendence), "obsessed with my needs" (Selfishness), and "my perceptions of myself are overblown" (Egotism; Davis et al, 2017). Sample items include "[I'm] more focused on others."…”

Humility, Forgiveness, and Emerging Adult Female Romantic Relationships

“…Our views were informed by theirs in as much as we define humility as a personality judgment comprised of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes including: (a) accurate self‐view (intrapersonal); (b) willingness to admit limitations and mistakes (interpersonal); and (c) other‐focused orientation (interpersonal). Self‐reports are less than optimal in personality judgment in that the individual is both target and judge; however, social acceptance and interpersonal effectiveness are aided by an accurate perception of how one is viewed (Davis et al., ). Because self‐report can lead to reporter bias we controlled for socially desirable responding.…”