My current research focuses on three primary areas: self-concept structure, self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction. My research in the area of self-concept structure focuses primarily on the model of evaluative organization (Showers, 1992). This model distinguishes compartmentalized versus integrated styles of organizing information about the self. My current work in this area focuses on the benefits of integrated self-concept structures.

My work in the area of self-esteem is focused primarily on fragile self-esteem. I examine the potential causes and consequences of possessing self-esteem that is fragile. My research also encompasses narcissism and implicit self-esteem.

My final area of research examines relationship satisfaction. My previous work has examined the implications of partner-structure (i.e., the cognitive representations individuals form of their partners). I also examine the stability of relationship evaluations over time.

Primary Interests:

Close Relationships
Health Psychology
Interpersonal Processes
Personality, Individual Differences
Self and Identity
Social Cognition

Close Relationships
Health Psychology
Interpersonal Processes

Personality, Individual Differences
Self and Identity
Social Cognition

Research Group or Laboratory:

Self and Interpersonal Relationships Laboratory
Interactive Map

Journal Articles:

Brown, R. P., & Zeigler-Hill, V. (2004). Narcissism and the non-equivalence of self-esteem measures: A matter of dominance? Journal of Research in Personality, 38, 585-592.
Jordan, C. H., Whitfield, M., & Zeigler-Hill, V. (2007). Intuition and the correspondence between implicit and explicit self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 93, 1067-1079.
Showers, C. J., & Zeigler-Hill, V. (2004). Organization of partner knowledge: Relationship outcomes and longitudinal change. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1198-1210.
Showers, C. J., Zeigler-Hill, V., & Limke, A. (2006). Self-structure and emotional maltreatment: Successful compartmentalization and the struggle of integration. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25, 473-507.
Sloan, P. A., Berman, M. E., Zeigler-Hill, V., Greer, T. F., & Mae, L. (2006). Group norms and self-aggressive behavior. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25, 1107-1121.
Zeigler-Hill, V. (2011). The connections between self-esteem and psychopathology. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 41, 157-164.
Zeigler-Hill, V. (2010). The interpersonal nature of self-esteem: Do different measures of self-esteem possess similar interpersonal content? Journal of Research in Personality, 44, 22-30.
Zeigler-Hill, V. (2007). Contingent self-esteem and race: Implications for the Black self-esteem advantage. Journal of Black Psychology, 33, 51-74.
Zeigler-Hill, V. (2006). Contingent self-esteem and the interpersonal circumplex: The interpersonal pursuit of self-esteem. Personality and Individual Differences, 40, 713-723.
Zeigler-Hill, V. (2006). Discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem: Implications for narcissism and self-esteem instability. Journal of Personality, 74, 119-143.
Zeigler-Hill, V., & Abraham, J. (2006). Borderline personality features: Instability of self-esteem and affect. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25, 668-687.
Zeigler-Hill, V., Chadha, S., & Osterman, L. (2008). Psychological defense and self-esteem instability: Is defense style associated with unstable self-esteem? Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 348-364.
Zeigler-Hill, V., Clark, C. B., & Pickard, J. D. (2008). Narcissistic subtypes and contingent self-esteem: Do all narcissists base their self-esteem on the same domains? Journal of Personality, 76, 753-774.
Zeigler-Hill, V., Fulton, J. J., & McLemore, C. (2011). The role of unstable self-esteem in the appraisal of romantic relationships. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 51-56.
Zeigler-Hill, V., Green, B. A., Arnau, R. C., Sisemore, T. B., & Myers, E. M. (2011). Trouble ahead, trouble behind: Narcissism and early maladaptive schemas. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 42, 96-103.
Zeigler-Hill, V., & Myers, E. M. (2011). An implicit theory of self-esteem: The consequences of perceived self-esteem for romantic desirability. Evolutionary Psychology, 9, 147-180.
Zeigler-Hill, V., & Showers, C. J. (2007). Self-structure and self-esteem stability: The hidden vulnerability of compartmentalization. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 143-159.
Zeigler-Hill, V., & Terry, C. (2007). Perfectionism and explicit self-esteem: The moderating role of implicit self-esteem. Self and Identity, 6, 137-153.

Other Publications:

Showers, C. J., & Zeigler-Hill, V. (2006). Pathways among self-knowledge and self-esteem: How are self-esteem and self-knowledge linked? Are these links direct or indirect? In M. H. Kernis (Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A source book of current perspectives (pp. 216-223). New York: Psychology Press.

Courses Taught:

Advanced Social Psychology (Graduate)
Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Social Psychology (Undergraduate)

Advanced Social Psychology (Graduate)
Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

Social Psychology (Undergraduate)

Virgil Zeigler-Hill
Department of Psychology
212C Pryale Hall
Oakland University
Rochester, MI 48309
United States

Phone: (601) 266-4596
Fax: (248) 370-4612