Shane W. Kraus

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Director, UNLV Behavioral Addictions Lab
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UNLV School of Medicine
Expertise: Addiction, Substance Use, Gambling, Veteran Mental Health, Compulsive Sexual Behavior, Psychopathology

Biography

Shane W. Kraus is a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in psychopathology (the study of mental or behavioral disorders), sexual trauma, substance use disorders, gambling disorders, addictions, and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). 

An associate professor of psychology, Kraus uses behavioral, epidemiological, and neurobiological methods to assess factors that contribute to the development of addictive behaviors and other co-occurring psychiatric disorders among at-risk groups. 

He has published extensively on sexual behavior and was part of the World Health Organization working group who put forth the diagnostic criteria for CSBD for ICD-11. His gambling research is also exploring effective screening approaches for identifying individuals with problem gambling.

 

Education

  • B.S. Criminology, California State University, Fresno (2003)
  • M.A. Forensic Psychology, Castleton University (2007)
  • PHD Clinical Psychology, Bowling Green State University (2013)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry (2016)

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psychology & human behavior

Shane W. Kraus In The News

PsyPost
Understanding how people develop habits around viewing adult content can help identify potential psychological risks later in life. Researchers identified three distinct patterns of how adults start viewing sexually explicit material, revealing that establishing a regular habit at a young age is linked to higher rates of mental health struggles. The findings were published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
The Good Men Project
Sports betting is now just a tap away — and experts say it’s easier than ever for it to spiral out of control. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, here are some practical steps to regain control and get help.
Mediastorm
What if you were given a 1 million yuan check with no topic restrictions, and the freedom to travel anywhere with your team and meet people from around the world, where would you go? This time, our director Val takes that million and steps into a place that already sounds a little off — the casinos of Las Vegas.
CBS 58
Earlier this month, Wisconsin lawmakers passed a bill that would expand sports betting in the state by allowing people to make wagers online. Governor Tony Evers will soon have to decide whether to sign the bill into law. Evers has said his decision will hinge on whether the state's 11 tribes with gaming compacts can agree on how to offer online sports betting throughout Wisconsin. In the meantime, a multitude of questions still exist around what online sports betting could mean for Wisconsin.

Articles Featuring Shane W. Kraus

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Campus News | April 1, 2026

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Campus News | November 10, 2025

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Campus News | May 1, 2025

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