Hank Rothgerber

Dr. Hank Rothgerber is a Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and Government from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Texas A&M University.

His research centers on human-animal interactions in food contexts, specifically investigating how individuals psychologically navigate the 'meat paradox'—reconciling affection for animals with meat consumption. Key research domains include:

• Cognitive dissonance mechanisms among omnivores
• Psychological barriers to vegetarianism/veganism
• Dietary identity formation and social expression
• Meat dissociation strategies and scale development

Rothgerber's work has generated significant international media engagement, featuring in NBC News, Scientific American, Psychology Today (where he maintains his column The Motivated Mind), and the British Psychological Society. His Psychology Today blog has accumulated nearly 500,000 reads, and he has been interviewed by Discovery News and CDKU radio.

Outside academia, he coaches middle school basketball, plays competitive chess, and follows soccer/basketball while prioritizing family time with his wife and children. His professional blog at hankrothgerber.com expands on his research interests and public commentary.