Intellectual Humility Predicts Mask Sentiment and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Some people hold rigid anti-mask sentiment even though masks are effective at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Intellectual humility, marked by intellectual flexibility, security in one’s own views, openness to and respecting others’ views, and avoidance of intellectual arrogance, may help to overcome this trend. In this study, we examined whether intellectual humility could predict mask wearing sentiment and behavior. Participants (N = 734; Mage 38.79, SD = 11.67) completed an intellectual humility measure and answered questions about their view on masks, mask use, political orientation, and demographics. Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that intellectual humility positively predicted perceptions of mask effectiveness for curbing COVID-19, intentions to comply with local and federal mask mandates, and self-reported mask use during the pandemic above and beyond demographic and personal factors. These findings suggest that humility may be leveraged to promote certain health behaviors.