Michael Kernis, a creative and influential social psychologist at The University of Georgia, died April 23, 2009. A memorial service for him will be held in the chapel at the UGA Botanical Gardens at 5 p.m.on Friday, May 8th

 He was 54 years old and is survived by his wife, Vicki June Roberts.

Mike received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Rochester in 1983. Upon receiving his degree, he accepted his first position at the University of Texas at Arlington . He moved to the University of Georgia in 1989 where he became a full professor and a fellow of the University's Institute for Behavioral Research.

Mike was also a fellow of APA and APS as well as a member of SESP where he served on the Program Committee and Executive Committee. He was an associate editor for Self and Identity and was on the editorial board of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , Journal of Research in Personality, and Psychological Inquiry .

His major research interests were in the areas of self and motivational processes. He produced ground breaking research on: (a) the causes and consequences of possessing secure vs. fragile self-esteem, (b) individual differences in authentic functioning, and (c) mindfulness. Mike was among the first researchers to pursue a systematic program of research exploring varieties of self-esteem. For years, it had been suggested that high self-esteem was better than low self-esteem. Mike suggested, however, that not all high self-esteem is healthy. Individuals whose self-esteem is fragile and unstable compensate for their self-doubts by engaging in exaggerated tendencies to defend, protect and enhance their feelings of self-worth. They may become verbally defensive, for example, in response to threats to their self-worth. Individuals with secure high self-esteem, on the other hand, accept themselves “warts and all.” Mike's research on optimal self-esteem has been central in prompting researchers to move beyond a low/high dichotomy. It is now widely accepted that there are multiple forms of self-esteem, only some of which consistently relate to positive psychological functioning.

Mike summarized his ideas this way: “We aren't suggesting there's something wrong with people when they want to feel good about themselves. What we are saying is that when feeling good about themselves becomes a prime directive, for these people excessive defensiveness and self-promotion are likely to follow, the self-esteem is likely to be fragile rather than secure and any psychological benefits will be very limited.”

Mike's research has been published in the top journals in the field and has been supported by grants from the NSF and the NIMH. His work is highly cited and has been discussed in a number of popular media outlets (e.g., Psychology Today, MSNBC, WebMD ).

"I have known Mike and enjoyed his conversation, insights, and observations for 20 years" says Steve Beach.  He was an outstanding colleague and a good friend as well as a leading researcher.   His loss will be felt deeply in many ways and by many people in IBR.   The University, the Department, and the Institute have all experienced a great loss. However, Mike was also an inveterate optimist and he leaves behind a model of determination and coping that will continue to enrich all of us who knew him."

“As a person, Mike was very open and down-to-earth yet very passionate about his work" says Lenny Martin. "When he wasn't working, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and his seven cats (and one crazy possum). He also enjoyed traveling, being outdoors, talking with friends and colleagues, and listening to The Grateful Dead. He will be missed as a person and as a researcher. It is difficult to imagine his big frame and mischievous smile no longer being with us”.