Intellectual humility’s effects on political polarization and engagement

Abstract Drawing on theories about intergroup contact and the effects of language, this study tests whether the use of intellectual humility in political posts influences affective polarization, perceived polarization, and willingness to engage with opposing views. Using data from a U.S.-representative 2 (intellectual humility: low or high) × 4 (issue) between-subjects experiment with an offset control, this study shows that expressions of intellectual humility can increase willingness to engage, and that they indirectly affect polarization through perceived warmth, perceived competence, and cognitive reactance. Expressions of intellectual humility do not result in expectancy violations. Effects do not vary by partisanship or a trait measure of intellectual humility. The results provide insight to those looking to improve online spaces.