Humility facilitates higher self-control

Prior evidence and existing theories imply that humility engenders intra- and inter-personal attributes that facilitate self-regulatory abilities. Four experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that humility predicts enhanced self-control. Participants who recalled humility experiences were found to be better able at sustaining their physical stamina in a handgrip task (Studies 1 and 4), resisting indulgence in chocolates (Study 2), and persevering in a frustrating tracing task (Study 3) than those who recalled neutral experiences. Studies 3 and 4 demonstrated that the effect of humility was distinct from that of self-esteem, which did not affect self-control. Study 2 ruled out two alternative hypotheses concerning achievement and compliance motives. We discuss how the findings might relate to outcomes associated with humility as evidenced in past studies. •We hypothesize that humility enhances self-control.•Recalling humility experiences improved performance in a handgrip task (Studies 1 and 4), food abstinence task (Study 2), and tracing task (Study 3) than recalling other experiences.•In Studies 3 and 4, reported self-control was higher in the humility condition compared to the low and high self-esteem conditions.•We discuss how the findings might be relevant to understanding outcomes associated with humility.