D109

Sincerity

BD08 Ethics & Values
Derived LayerMML-2

Version v1.2.4

Definition

Alignment between what one expresses and what one genuinely believes or feels, with minimal hidden agenda or performative masking.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Often performs; expression is strategically detached from inner state.

High Pole

High expressive congruence; what is communicated closely matches what is internally held (within norms of appropriateness).

Reference

Sincere in private, performative in public settings.

Measure

Primary: Congruence — match between internal self-report and outward expression.

Measuring Methods

Momentary expression capture → later validated self-report (and/or diary) + independent coding of expressed stance.

Empirical Anchor

Sincerity / authenticity (Wood et al., 2008); genuine self-presentation; honesty-humility sincerity facet (Ashton & Lee, 2007).

Notes

You can be factually honest yet emotionally insincere (and vice versa). Sincerity is about alignment of expressed emotion and belief, not factual truth.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Sincerity (HES Passport D109, v1.2.4). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/D109

BibTeX

@misc{hes_D109, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Sincerity}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport D109, v1.2.4}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/D109}} }