The Smaller you in a Bigger World: The Relationship Between Foreign Experiences and Intellectual Humility

Abstract

As the world is becoming a more connected and interdependent place, a fast growing literature has examined the effects of foreign experiences on cognitive and psychological outcomes. The current research seeks to explore the relationship between living abroad and intellectual humility. To this end, we conducted four methodologically diverse studies ( N = 643) using multiple populations and complementary measures of intellectual humility. In Study 1, we provided correlational evidence that students with international living experience manifested greater intellectual humility than peers lacking such background. Study 2 conceptually replicated the results of Study 1 by using a different measure of intellectual humility and a more diverse population. In Study 3, we found that individuals with international living experiences reported elevated intellectual humility compared to those who had plans to live abroad but had not yet done so. Study 4 adopted an experimental approach and provided evidence for the causal role of foreign experiences in influencing intellectual humility. Moreover, the results showed that the breadth, rather than the duration, of foreign experiences was predictive of greater intellectual humility. Taken together, these findings suggest that foreign experiences can impact the modest personality and meta-cognitive ability in individuals engaging internationally as sojourners.