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The relationship between trust and humility: a systematic review
Jordon E Swain1, Archie L Bates1, Kate Conkey1
1United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|August 15, 2026
Summary
Humility fosters trust, but this relationship is complex and influenced by various factors. Research also suggests trust can impact humility, highlighting a bidirectional connection.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Trust and humility are critical interpersonal and organizational constructs.
- Existing research explores their intricate relationship across various disciplines.
- Understanding this connection is vital for effective collaboration and relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically synthesize the literature on the relationship between humility and trust.
- To address key research questions regarding the nature of this association.
- To identify trends, gaps, and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Inclusion of grey literature to minimize bias and enhance comprehensiveness.
- Analysis of 56 full-text records identified from 76 initial records.
Main Results:
- Humility generally engenders trust, though definitions and findings vary by discipline.
- The humility-trust relationship is moderated and mediated by several factors.
- Evidence suggests a potential bidirectional relationship, where trust may also influence humility.
Conclusions:
- This review provides the first systematic integration of humility-trust literature.
- Identified gaps and inconsistencies warrant further investigation.
- Future research should address methodological limitations and explore boundary conditions.
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