Title
Social Benefits Of Humility: Initiating And Maintaining Romantic Relationships
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-4-2014
Publication Source
Journal of Positive Psychology
Volume Number
9
Issue Number
4
First Page
313
Last Page
321
ISSN
1743-9760
Abstract
Previous research has highlighted the social nature of humility. In three studies, we provide evidence that humility facilitates the initiation and maintenance of romantic relationships. In Study 1, very humble potential dating partners, relative to less humble partners, were rated more favorably and were more likely to elicit intentions to initiate a romantic relationship. Study 2 was a conceptual replication of Study 1 that provided evidence that participants find humble potential dating partners more attractive than arrogant dating partners. In Study 3, we examined perceptions of humility in participants in proximal or long-distance relationships. We found that humility buffers against unforgiveness in long-distant relationships. Although long-distance relationships were associated with greater unforgiveness, this effect was only present when partners were viewed as having low humility. Together, these findings highlight the social benefits of humility in initiating and maintaining romantic relationships.
Recommended Citation
Van Tongeren, Daryl R., Don E. Davis, and Joshua N. Hook. “Social Benefits Of Humility: Initiating And Maintaining Romantic Relationships.” The Journal of Positive Psychology 9, no. 4 (July 4, 2014): 313–21. doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.898317.
