Psychology Undergraduate Programs
Education
Ph.D. Biopsychology, The University of Illinois at Chicago
M.A. Biopsychology, The University of Illinois at Chicago
B.A. Psychology, Illinois Wesleyan University
About William Struthers
Dr. Struthers' lab research interests are in the neural mechanisms that underlie behavioral arousal and the processing of novel environments. His research employs the use of stereotaxic surgery, immunochemistry, and behavioral manipulations to investigate gene expression in the cingulate cortex and basal ganglia.
He is actively involved in the campus Animal Care and Use Committee and the Institutional Review Board which oversee the ethical treatment of animals and human subjects respectively in research conducted at Wheaton College. His professional membeships include the Society for Neuroscience, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience, Association for Psychological Science, and International Neuroethics Society. He recently received a grant from the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, an interdisciplinary research enterprise based at St Edmund's College, Cambridge University (UK) to examine uses and abuses of neuroscience reserach in society. Dr. Struthers has also been named a Visiting Research Fellow to Biola University's Center for Christian Thought for the spring of 2014 for his work on the impact of sexual exploitation on spirituality.
Dr. Struthers married his wife in 1993 and they have been blessed with three children. Dr. Struthers was born in Chicago but spent his adolescent and teen years in northwestern Pennsylvania. He is an avid fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams (Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates), J.R.R. Tolkien's writings, and Battlestar Galactica. He also is rumored to have been in an '80s cover band (complete with a mullet) during his college years. When he finds time, he enjoys reading comic books and listening to glam-rock/hair bands from the eighties.
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Introduction to Psychopharmacology
- Men and Addictions
- History of Psychology
- Psychopharmacology (Graduate Program)
- Biological Bases of Behavior (Graduate Program)
- Teaching of Psychology Seminar (Graduate Program)
Membership in Professional Societies
Research Interests
Dr. Struthers' animal lab research is on the effects of environmental enrichment on neural responses to novelty challenges. His clinical research is in the area of compulsive sexuality and pornography use. In addition to this empirical work, Dr. Struthers' theoretical research interests are in the areas of neuroethics, the biological bases of spirituality and personhood, and science/faith dialogue issues. In addition to his research, Dr. Struthers speaks internationally as an advocate against sexual exploitation (i.e. pornography, prostitution, trafficking).
Publications
Books and Selected Book Chapters
Struthers, William M. (2012). Gaming Addiction. In: Addictions and Substance Abuse. Salem Press: Pasadena, CA.
Struthers, William M. (2012). Pornography Addiction. In: Addictions and Substance Abuse. Salem Press: Pasadena, CA.
Struthers, William M. (2012) Biopsychology and the Soul. In: Delight in Creation: Scientists Share Their Work with the Church. Eds. Haarsma, Deborah B. and Hoezee, Scott; Center for Excellence in Preaching: Grand Rapids, MI.
Struthers, W.M. (2009). Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL.
Struthers, W.M. (2005). What is the Mind-Brain Problem?. In: Not Just Science. Eds. Chappell, Dorothy F. and Cook, E. David. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI.
Selected Articles, Papers and Book Reviews
The Physical Nature of Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology, & the Church, by Warren S. Brown and Brad D. Strawn; Cambridge University Press, Reviewd by Struthers, William M. Christian Scholar’s Review, (in press).
Psychology and Christianity: Five Views, edited by Eric L. Johnson; Second edition, InterVarsity Academic. Reviewed by Struthers, William M. Themelios, (in press).
Kipp, Mike; Kipp, Mike A. Jr. and Struthers, William M. (2013) Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction and Anisometropic Amblyopia. Journal of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthamology and Strabisums. Vol 17(1), e6.
Struthers, William M. (2012) False Intimacy. Youthwork, Vol 2 (20), pg 18-21.
Struthers, William M. (2011) The Basics of the Brain, e-News Monthly, American Association of Christian Counselors Newsletter, July.
Struthers, W.M. (2011) Pornography Addiction and the Brain: It’s Destructive Nature and How to Overcome It. Enrichment Journal, Vol 16 (3), pg 80-85.
Selected Presentations
Mulhauser, K., Wenzel, B., Pyykkonen, B., Struthers, W. (2013) Frontal Executive Functioning in Individuals Seeking Treatment for Compulsive Sexuality. 11th Annual Conference of American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Chicago, IL.
Struthers, William M., Mulhauser, Kyler, Smith, Lia, and Campos, Darlene (2013) The Persuasiveness of Brain Imaging and Religious Commitment. Association for Psychological Science 25th Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Struthers, William M. (2013) Secondhand Sexuality and Your Brain. Student Life, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Struthers, William M. (2012) Surrogates, Nuns, and Novels: Using Literature in the Neuroscience Classroom. Society for Neuroscience 42nd Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
Struthers, William M. (2012) What’s the Harm? The Impact of Pornography on Adolescent Brain Development. British Parliament, House of Commons, Committee Meeting for the Independent Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection, Chaired by MP Claire Perry, May 23, London, England.
Struthers, William M. (2012) Neuroscience and the New High Priests. Persons and Their Brains. Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, St Anne's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Struthers, William M. (2011) Putting the ‘Neuro’ in Biopsychosocial Models. American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference, Nashville, TN.
Laaser, Mark and Struthers, William M. (2011) Cyberporn, The Male Brain & Sex Addiction. Continuing Education Workshop for the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference, Nashville, TN.
Struthers, William M. (2011) The Reproductive Brain: Neurosexism and the Ethics of Sexuality. American Scientific Affiliation 66th Annual Meeting, Naperville, IL.
Struthers, William M., Haynes, William C., Hurley, Abby, Pinckney, Todd, Keller, Amy, Hall, Patrick, Diaz, Sam and Tubman, David (2011) Survey of Filtering Software and Online Porn Recovery Group Users: Demographics, Personal History and Personality Profiles. International Conference of the Christian Association of Psychological Studies, Indianapolis, IN.
Struthers, William M. and Haynes, Will (2010) Perceptions of Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancers on Campus: A Classroom Exercise in Neuroethics. Society for Neuroscience 40th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Struthers, W.M. (2009). The Seven Temptations of Neuroethics, Christian Perspectives in Science Seminar, Calvin College, Nov, 6, Grand Rapids, MI.
Struthers, W.M. (2007). Implications of Human Uniqueness: From Imago Dei to Neuroscience. Joint Meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation and Christians in Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Please contact Dr. Struthers if you would like a copy of his Curriculum Vita.