Name:

Dr. Joshua Grubbs

Title:

Associate Professor

Department:

Psychology and the Center for Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions

Describe your research in about 200 words.

I am interested in understanding the behavioral “addictions.” Specifically, my research is primarily concerned with understanding why people sometimes feel that behaviors such as gambling or sexual activity are out of control or addiction. My specific interests in these domains are related to the social construction of addiction. I’m also interested in the social and structural factors that shape self-perceptions of potentially addictive behaviors. Ultimately, I want to understand how self-reported beliefs about addiction influence presentation of symptoms, which, in turn, influence diagnosis, classification, and treatment of addictive behaviors. I have past and ongoing projects related to pornography use, compulsive sexual behavior more broadly, and excessive gambling behaviors. In addition to these domains, I am also interested promoting replicability, reproducibility, and transparency in the scientific process. I strive to conduct my research in accordance with current standards of transparency and openness, and I encourage my students to do the same.

What’s the most interesting thing you have learned from a student?

I have learned more interesting things from students than from my own research, and drilling down to the single “most interesting” thing I have learned would be impossible. But, among the many things that students have taught me, I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to never be afraid to ask questions, even ones that seem incredibly simple or obvious. Students who have always been willing to ask questions have consistently excelled in my classes and in my research group, and they’ve inspired me to be more willing to ask questions in any setting that I’m in.