What exactly does it mean to be open-minded? For me, Aristotle’s quote comes the closest: 

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” 

The world is full of ideas and we human beings tend to cling to our beliefs while shutting out the rest of the world’s, sometimes to the point of disrespect and exclusion.

It takes a lot of grace to be open-minded, a lot of willingness to listen and understand, and a lot of mindfulness to be aware of our own limiting thoughts.

Are you wondering if you’re this kind of person? You might just be, if you notice these 9 psychology-backed signs in yourself: 

1) Defensiveness is not your default mode

Most people react to criticism or even well-meaning comments in an unpleasant way called defensiveness. 

And that’s actually a natural reaction. Our brains are wired to protect us, after all. 

The Greater Good offers 3 reasons for why people act in a defensive way: 

• We want to be right, and we want other people to validate our views. (This also explains why we tend to surround ourselves with people who think the same way we do.)
• We want to be sure. Uncertainty is scary and makes us feel out of control. That’s why we cling to our beliefs – they are a certainty we know in an uncertain world. 
• We interpret the world in ways that affirm our own beliefs, to the point that we ignore inconsistencies in them. It’s the confirmation bias at work. 

All of these reasons make it hard for us to see how closed-minded we are. 

So if you’re on the opposite end of that, if you’re someone who can take criticism and see it for what it is – mere suggestions to help you improve rather than an attack on your character – then you’re more open-minded than the average person. 

Even more so if…

2) You actively seek feedback

Because it points to a few things: 

First, you’re well aware that you have some weak spots and areas for improvement.

Second, it shows that you respect and value the opinions and expertise of others because you know that you don’t have all the answers.

And third, you want a grasp on how others perceive you because you know that how you see yourself could be different from how you actually come across to others. 

There’s actually more to this, but hopefully this is enough to show you why actively seeking feedback is a sign of open-mindedness. 

Not to mention humility, which is a trait that goes hand in hand with an open mind. 

3) You can admit your mistakes and apologize for them

Speaking of humility, being accountable is another sign that you’re more open-minded than the average person. 

Not everyone can do that because they’d rather dig their heels in and insist that they’re right. 

Ironically, being able to admit when you’re wrong actually earns you more points in the trust department. In fact, studies show that humble leaders are more effective and better-liked. 

It all comes down to this – people appreciate humility because it creates a non-threatening environment where they feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. 

Which brings me to the next point…  

4) You’re curious about other people’s perspectives

Do you like knowing what makes someone tick? Examining an issue from someone else’s POV? 

This is something that truly resonates with me. I love climbing into people’s minds and seeing where they’re coming from, even if their stance is completely different from mine. 

For instance, I have a friend who comes from a culture where arranged marriages are common. Now, in my own culture, such a situation would be unthinkable. 

And yet, instead of putting me off or leading me to jump to conclusions, I found it all interesting and I wanted to know more. 

That’s it – just know more and learn what I can from my friend’s perspective, no judgment involved. 

Does that sound like you? Then that’s a sign that you’re more open-minded than the average person. You have empathy – a superpower that allows you to put yourself in other people’s shoes. 

I’ve seen people turn into judgmental monsters when they hear someone living a lifestyle or holding a belief that’s completely at odds with everything they believe in. 

And you know what? It’s never a pretty sight!   

5) You can identify your own biases

Now, you don’t get to that point of open-mindedness if you don’t know how to identify your own biases. 

Look, however cultured or sophisticated in thinking we might be, we still have our own biases. 

It just can’t be helped because our biases are a product of everything that’s happened to us so far – our upbringing, education, socio-cultural contexts, etc. 

But if you’re an open-minded person, then you’re aware of this and you take pains to not let it distort your thinking. 

For example, I know I’m not immune from buying a product just because of the gorgeous model endorsing it. (That’s the halo effect, by the way.) 

Only to find out later that it was a bad purchase.

So now, I’m more careful – I’m well aware of how my mind can deceive me in many ways, in ways less benign than buying a bottle of overpriced lotion. 

It can actually influence how I view people, and I could damage my chances of connecting with them if I’m not aware of my biases. 

6) You take the time to understand people’s motivations

Have you ever been told that you’re too patient? Too understanding? Letting people take advantage of you? 

That often happens when you’re the type who can understand why people do the things they do. It’s not that you excuse their behavior, but you do see where they’re coming from. 

You might not agree with a friend’s decision to stay with her cheating husband, but you also understand that she wants to give her children an intact family. 

You might not condone a colleague’s aggressive approach to office politics, but you get it – they’re driven by a fear of being overlooked in a competitive environment. 

My point is, open-mindedness requires seeing the world with flexibility – it isn’t black and white. People are driven by all sorts of motivations, and it’s not up to you to judge. 

In fact, even if you’re on the receiving end of someone’s bad behavior, you still manage to do this next thing…

7) You give people a “generous interpretation”

What exactly does that mean? 

Well, let’s put it this way – when someone messes up, you give them a bit of grace instead of thinking the worst about them right away. 

Let’s say your friend canceled on your coffee date for the nth time. Instead of labeling them a “bad friend”, a generous interpretation could mean pausing and wondering if there’s something more behind it. 

Maybe they’re going through a rough patch. Maybe their life is in such disarray that they just can’t get it together. 

Anything but jumping to “terrible friend”. 

Do you see what I’m getting at? 

Now let’s be clear: this isn’t about making excuses for bad behavior. As Houston Therapy explains:

“A generous interpretation is not making an excuse. It allows your mind to take some space away from the painful narratives it may create around WHY someone behaved the way that they did, and become more curious of other possibilities.”

And let me be even clearer: under no circumstances should you use “generous interpretation” for cases of abuse and neglect. 

8) You’re the go-to person for advice in your circle

Perhaps one of the strongest signs that you’re more open-minded than the average person is that you’re the one people go to for advice and wisdom. 

They know that you have the objectivity and impartiality to look at their situation and point out things that they might not have realized. 

They also know that you have an empathetic nature – they can confide in you and lay themselves bare without fear of judgment. 

I have my own go-to person (my best friend), and the reason I picked her is because I know she’ll give it to me straight even when I don’t want to hear it. 

And even when what she’s saying is not the answer I want, I still feel safe and not judged. 

9) You accept others as they are

This is the whole point of what I’ve been discussing in this article. Ultimately, your open-mindedness allows you to accept people as they come. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll condone bad behavior. You do want people to be better, to grow and improve. But your acceptance doesn’t hinge on their perfection. 

Much of our frustration in the world comes from not being able to change people. From not wanting to accept their flaws. Most people think in terms of “should’s and should-not’s” while forgetting to love others as they are. 

But for open-minded people like you, it’s not much of a struggle. All because you can meet people where they are and give them the space to grow at their own pace.