Psychological Science

Educational objectives

Course's general goal is to supply students with a theoretical knowledge and useful tools connected to the representation of data and to the pertaining psychometric analyses for educational research. The Programme includes theoretical lessons and workshop practical activities.
Theoretical lessons will be divided into lectures, dedicated to students' training, and a part dedicated to students' questions and reflections. Classes will be about the use of questionnaires, and the approach to empirical research with a reference to the theoretical bases of quantitative and psychometric research. During the course, will be explained the instructions related to the representation of data by means of charts and graphs, the input and the management of data by using the programme Excel, Jamoovi and the software for statistical analyses Spss, and the psychometric theories needed for the use of these software.

Educational objectives

The course's main objective is for students to develop a solid knowledge and understanding of the nervous system. They will be able to describe the structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems and understand their role in the global functioning of human behaviour.
The students:
- will gain a detailed understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the neuron. They will be able to describe the structural and functional characteristics of nerve cells, as well as the fundamental mechanisms involved in the transmission of neural signals;
- will be able to explain in detail the mechanisms through which the nervous system processes sensory information coming from the external environment;
- will be able to describe the structures involved in visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory perception and understand how this information is processed at a neural level;
- will be able to explain the neural pathways involved in voluntary and involuntary movement and understand the neurological basis of human motor behaviour;
- will develop an in-depth understanding of the complex organization of human behaviour and will be able to recognize how neural structures and processes influence cognitive and emotional functioning and behaviour regulation.

At the end of the coure, the student will have to demonstrate (knowledge and understanding):
to. the acquisition and mastery of basic knowledge relating to the anatomical structure and functioning of the nervous system;
b. understanding the mechanisms and physiological processes underlying the generation, transmission and integration of nervous signals;
c. knowledge of the structure and organization of the main sensory systems;
d. understanding the contribution that knowledge of neural correlates provides to the study of behaviour and mental processes.
The student must demonstrate that they have acquired the ability to select and apply anatomical and physiological knowledge of the nervous system to the description of the neural mechanisms underlying the main mental functions (applying knowledge and understanding).
The student must demonstrate that they have acquired the basic ability to critically evaluate the role of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the functioning of mental processes and its possible alterations, to identify unresolved issues and to deepen their knowledge (making judgments).
The student must demonstrate that they have acquired the ability to clearly and coherently explain the notions learned and to master the specific terminology relating to neurophysiology and cognitive neuroscience, also in order to understand the relevant scientific literature adequately (communication skills).
The student will have acquired a good capacity for autonomy in integrating the study material, reading and interpreting information relating to the neuroscientific aspects of psychological phenomena, and finding scientific information useful for deepening and updating their knowledge (learning skills).

Educational objectives

Students will be required to demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course and presented in the reference bibliography; they will be able to prove to possess abilities of analysis, reflection and comparison concerning the main areas of General psychology.

Students will be able to demonstrate the full understanding of the syllabus of the course; they should apply the knowledge acquired to relevant issues in a thoughtful and critical way; they will be able to demonstrate they possess the appropriate skills to build and support arguments related to the topics covered by the course, and to apply the suitable techniques and methods to the field.

Students will be able to express judgments in an autonomous form, on the basis of examples provided in the lectures and/or in the bibliographic resources provided, and prove to be able to find and interpret data in order to formulate answers to general – both concrete and abstract – problems.

Students will be able to communicate information, ideas, problems and related solutions; to demonstrate adequate capacity of synthesis and expressive ability in the light of the specific terminology.

Students will develop the skills necessary to undertake further studies with a certain degree of autonomy.

Educational objectives

The overall objective of the course will be to provide students with theoretical knowledge and useful tools related to inferential psychometric analyses. The course will include a series of theoretical lectures followed by corresponding practical activities.
The theoretical lectures will be divided into a frontal lecture part, intended for students' training, and another part reserved for students' questions and reflections. The conceptual and practical foundations of the main statistical analyses used in psychology will be defined, and the use of the main software such as Jamoovi and Spss will be taught and the essential psychometric assumptions for the use of the aforementioned software will be provided.

Educational objectives

This course aims at familiarizing the students with the themes and methods of developmental psychology.
At the end of the course students will know the “normative frames” of development.The particular methodological tools that characterise the field of developmental psychology will be examined.

Conoscenza e capacità di comprensione (knowledge and understanding).

Students will know normative frames related to cognitive, social and emotional development, and methods of developmental research. Students will also have a basic knowledge and understanding of different research methods in developmental psychology.

Capacità di applicare conoscenza e comprensione (applying knowledge and understanding).

At the end of the course students will be able to recognize normative frames, developmental tasks challenges and resources in analyzing a “case”. Students will also be able to recognize different research methods in developmental psychology

Autonomia di giudizio (making judgements).

Class discussions will allow students to learn how to comment a case making reference to psychological theories and to contextualize the case in the environment.

Abilità comunicative (communication skills).
Trough discussions in class, students will learn how communicate using specific terminology of developmental psychology.

Capacità di apprendimento (learning skills).
Recall to sources will allow students to learn how to study in deep topics of developmental psychology, above all by using appropriate key words. At the end of the course students should be able to find and use bibliographic and sitographic tools in order to constantly update and deepen professional knowledge and skills.

Educational objectives

Students will acquire knowledge of the different research currents and traditions operating in the field of social psychology.
They will also be able to know and use the different data collection tools and the different strategies of analysis in the psychological-social perspective.
Students must be able to read and interpret the results of empirical research by relating them to the relevant theoretical, disciplinary and applicative fields.
Furthermore, specific skills will be acquired with respect to the methods of presenting a written and oral paper.

Educational objectives

The course aimed to: (a) develop knowledge about psychopathology, through an in-depth study of the historical background and the main nosographic and diagnostic models; (b) develop knowledge about clinical psychology and the different application contexts; (c) provide notions about the main theoretical and empirical paradigms present in the landscape of psychopathological theorizing; (d) introduce the main psychometric tools aimed at assessing psychopathological symptoms in different application contexts; (e) provide basic skills about clinical research, developing the ability to critically evaluate the results of scientific studies; (f) observe the manifestations of the psychopathological constructs explored in depth during the lectures, through practical simulations and in-depth clinical case studies.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to accurately describe psychopathological disorders according to the latest diagnostic models, knowing how to differentiate such disorders based on symptomatology. In addition, the student will be able to provide a description of psychopathology based on theoretical paradigms, hypothesizing and knowing how to present a possible course of effective treatment. Through practical simulations and in-depth clinical case studies, lastly, the student will be able to recognize the possible manifestations of the main psychopathological disorders covered in the course.

Educational objectives

The students will achieve a solid understanding of (i) sociological language, (ii) major sociological theories and approaches, (iii) the methodological foundations of social research and principles of research design, and (iv) social institutions and social phenomena.
The students will develop the ability to (i) apply the concepts learned to select and comprehend scientific literature on sociological theories and social phenomena and (ii) read, apply, and interpret the findings of key sociological research techniques.
The students will acquire skills to critically analyze social phenomena and evaluate the results of sociological research.
The students will be able clearly communicate theoretical knowledge and write and produce basic research reports.
The students will independently learn and apply approaches and utilize methodological techniques for analyzing social phenomena.

Educational objectives

Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the main theoretical perspectives, the main issues and methodologies in the study of Psychology of Emotions, Motivation and Personality. During taught classes students will acquire theoretical knowledge and will develop critical reasoning about different psychological theories. Practical activities will contribute to a) develop students’ knowledge of some instruments for the evaluation of emotional, motivational and personality functioning; b) promote students’ application of theoretical knowledge to an holistic comprehension of individual functioning.

Educational objectives

Acquisition of fundamental knowledge regarding the anatomical and neurophysiological correlates underlying behavior and various cognitive functions.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Knowledge of the main investigative methods in the field of cognitive neuroscience, with particular reference to the use of neurophysiological techniques and functional neuroimaging, as well as the construction of theoretical models of cognitive functions.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Ability to select and retrieve information from specialized literature and use it to evaluate specific theoretical, methodological, or applicative problems related to cognition and behavior. Understanding of the scientific language used to describe the neurophysiological aspects underlying cognition and behavior.

JUDGMENT AUTONOMY
Judgment autonomy regarding the reliability of information, theories, and methods proposed by scientific research in the field, developed through the stimulation of critical debate on the topics covered.

COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS
Ability to adequately describe the theories, methods, and results of scientific research in the field, acquired through lessons dedicated to the presentation of specific topics by students.

LEARNING SKILLS
Ability to develop the necessary skills to continue the academic path with a high degree of autonomy, acquired through individual study of the topics covered in class.

Educational objectives

The objectives of the Test Theory and Techniques class are aimed at: (a) develop knowledge of assessment procedures and techniques in psychology and the rules of indicator-construct correspondence; (b) illustrate the functions of psychological tests and the different areas of application; (c) provide the basics related to the psychometric characteristics of the instruments; (d) present the principles by which psychometric instruments are constructed, focusing on item analysis and the dimensionality of scales; (e) introduce to the most popular instruments used in the field of psychological diagnosis; (f) provide guidelines and useful tools that enable students to learn the most common administration procedures; and (g) develop knowledge about methods of scoring, calculation and interpretation.

Educational objectives

The Work and Organizational Psychology course provides students with an in-depth overview of the content and main research trends defining the field, both nationally and internationally. Through a balance of lectures and practical classroom activities, students will have the opportunity to learn and practically apply theoretical concepts, integrating knowledge and skills that help address the challenges of contemporary work environments. The program revolves around two main thematic areas:
1. The Individual at Work: Analysis of the personal characteristics that promote adaptation, professional success, and integration into organizational systems.
2. The Work Environment: Analysis of the influence of environmental and organizational characteristics on individual and collective behavior, with particular attention to interpersonal relationships and factors that promote a positive organizational climate.
Additionally, students interested in research initiatives can participate in specific research projects, offering further exploration of the topics covered and hands-on experience in the Work and Organizational Psychology field.

Educational objectives

The course of Health Psychology are aimed at: (a) developing the knowledge about the amin theories of health psychology paradigm within the biopsychosocial model; (b) illustrating the aspects of differentiation of health psychology from clinical psychology; (c) providing the fundamental notions related to the relationships between physiological and biological systems, behaviours and mental states in health and disease conditions; (d) presenting the main constructs traditionally studied in the field of health psychology; (e) introducing the most widespread and used assessment tools in health psychology; (f) illustrating the areas of intervention of health psychology in the prevention of diseases and well-being promotion. At the end of the course, the student will be aware of the historical roots of health psychology, its theoretical models and main clinical fields of application. The student will also be aware of the fundamental mechanisms of interaction between physiological and biological systems and cognitive, affective and behavioral mechanisms.

Educational objectives

The course aims to introduce at the logic and the fundamental tools of demographic analysis, the main data sources, the structural population characteristics and its dynamics. Students will know the international, national and local demographic trends and the economic, social and environmental causes and consequences of contemporary population changes. The student will be able to correctly read and interpret statistical information with demographic content; to retrieve statistical data on population and social context from proper and validated sources; to be aware of the impact of selected policies on demographic changes and family behaviors; to elaborate basic scenarios for the future distribution of population at territorial level.

Educational objectives

The educational objectives of the course in Cultural Anthropology aim to provide students with knowledge of some of the key debates within cultural anthropology that most engage with therapeutic professions. The first part of the course consists of a series of theoretical lectures on the key concepts of the discipline: ethnocentrism and relativism, the notion of culture, different social organizations, the production of kinship, and, more generally, the mechanisms through which every human collective naturalizes its way of being in the world, thereby making it the only possible one.
The second part of the course focuses on topics in medical anthropology and ethnopsychiatry: the cultural distinction between healthy and sick, the role of meaning in various stages of therapy, the non-universality of psychological and/or psychiatric categories, the colonial use of psychiatry, and the cultural construction of the body and emotions.
In general, the course will follow the idea that has always characterized cultural anthropology: the expansion of the concept of being human beyond the Western idea of what it means to be "human." This objective aligns with the traditions of dialogue between anthropology and medical, psychological, and philosophical disciplines, aimed at highlighting the existence of other "ways of knowing and doing" in terms of organization, care, and crisis resolution.

Educational objectives

This course aims to provide the student with an essential knowledge of the epistemological, theoretical and methodological tools developed in psychoanalytic theory and in contemporary developments of the psychodynamic perspective in the study of mental functioning with particular reference to A) the relationship between unconscious and conscious processes and the unconscious determinants of the processes and contents of consciousness; B) psychodynamic conceptions of affects and motivations; C) the development of the processes of constructing representations of self and other, reflexivity and awareness.

Educational objectives

The educational goals of Sociology of Communication course are the following: 1) introducing the most important theories within the field of media and communication studies, from face-to-face communication, to mass communication, to digital communication, with particular attention to the role and skills of the subjects of communication, languages and contexts, objectives and cognitive effects; 2) providing methodological tools in order to analyze different forms of communication and their social uses, with particular attention to the issue of representation and mediated common sense; 3) understanding the processes of encoding and decoding messages and the media social effects on the audience; 4) developing skills and competence to critically analyze the digital communication, with a specific focus on the concepts of platform, algorithm, influence, polarization, etc.
At the end of the course, students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge of the sociology of communication in different fields, from the design of a communication campaign, to the critical analysis of the message, to the understanding of the decoding process by the audience in their own context.