How can scientists earn the public’s trust, especially on contentious topics like climate change and vaccines? A new study from the University of Pittsburgh suggests the answer lies in intellectual humility—acknowledging that one’s knowledge might be incomplete or wrong.
“Intellectual humility is central to good science,” the researchers explain. “Recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge and being open to new evidence can signal trustworthiness to the public.”
Confidence in scientists has declined in recent years, with only 29% of Americans expressing strong confidence in 2021. The drop is sharper on divisive issues, such as COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines, where conflicting opinions add to public uncertainty about whom to trust.
The study explored how intellectual humility affects perceptions of trustworthiness. Trust was measured through qualities like expertise, integrity, and benevolence, as well as the public’s willingness to learn more about the research and follow scientists’ recommendations.
Key Findings Across Five Studies
- General Perceptions of Intellectual Humility
In the first study, 298 participants rated scientists on intellectual humility and trustworthiness. Results showed that people trusted scientists more when they saw them as intellectually humble. - How Humility Shapes Trust
A second study tested this further by presenting participants with descriptions of a scientist researching treatments for long COVID-19. Scientists described as low in intellectual humility were trusted less, and participants were less likely to believe in their research. - Does Gender Matter?
To explore gender perceptions, participants read about either a male or female scientist studying political divides. While intellectual humility boosted trust, the scientist’s gender did not affect outcomes. - Does Race Matter?
A similar study tested perceptions of a climate scientist of various racial backgrounds. Again, intellectual humility increased trust, regardless of the scientist’s race. Participants were also more likely to seek additional information—36% compared to 21%—when the scientist was seen as intellectually humble. - How to Convey Intellectual Humility
The final study examined how scientists can show humility when sharing their work. Methods included discussing research limitations or giving credit to collaborators. While these strategies increased perceptions of humility, they sometimes reduced trust in the research itself, leaving the best approach unclear.
The Takeaway
The study highlights the importance of intellectual humility in fostering trust, but also shows that effectively communicating humility without undermining confidence remains a challenge. As the researchers put it, “We still don’t know how scientists can convey humility in ways that also build trust—but finding the answer is crucial.”
In a time of polarized opinions, scientists who remain open, transparent, and self-aware may hold the key to rebuilding public confidence in science.
