Psychology and social processes

Learning Objectives The course intends to offer students an introduction to the evaluation of group dynamics, a ultimate group with history: the family group that will be analyzed both from the diachronic and the synchronic point of view according to the theoretical systemic relational orientation. This assessment will make the student competent in the analysis of the relationships of "functional" and "dysfunctional" families through the use of the observational method. The student will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in practical activities or in individual exercises during the course and an interview with a family proposed at the end of the course, whose outcome, is able to influence the final mark on the exam. General Objectives The general objective of the Course is the knowledge of the family system in the fundamental features of its structure and relationships . The lectures will be useful to propose some theoretical concepts that refer to the clinical and theoretical practice of the systemic relational approach. The work in small groups will instead be decisive for the application of same theoretical concepts treated in class. Specific Objectives Knowledge and Understanding The student who will pass the exam will be able to: - observing and recognizing the properties of communication between two or more communicants as well as in extended relational contexts -Distinguish the “functional” families from the “dysfunctional” ones Applying Knowledge and Understanding The student who will pass the exam will be able to identify the relational dynamics according to which the "traditional" families and the new family forms are structured (single-parent families, divorced,families, step families, same sex families, migrant families...). According to the systemic / relational model, the FAMILY is conceived as a developing “open system”, composed of SUBSYSTEMS based on the functions performed by its members during its life cycle through the FAMILY BOUNDARIES. Through the use of the ecomap tool, the student will be able to understand the importance of the interpersonal context in the development of the individual and, through the use of the genogram tool, the intergenerational transmission modalities of specific transactional models (S. Minuchin ) learned in the fundamental contexts, at the base of the individual's relational behavior. Making Judgements During the lessons the students' contributions will be stimulated to encourage participation and reflection on the acquired knowledge. The written exercises on scientific topics that emerged during the lessons also have the objective of developing a reflective ability useful for the student's subsequent progression. In the practical test (small teamwork: family interview), the student will be able to experiment in observing the knowledge acquired in class. In addition, always in the small group, each student will play a different role: one will take care of the interview, one will observe the non-verbal behavior of the family, one will note the emerging communication exchanges during the interview, one will build the family genogram, etc. The final work that will constitute the essay will be the assembly of all the information obtained from each student, which necessarily implies a comparison between the members of the group. Communication skills The task of each member of the small group will therefore contribute to the acquisition of a specific technical language that will also become shared.The same task will also contribute to the comparison with colleagues, equally engaged in the interview, but with different roles, as mentioned above. Learning skills The course will serve the student to acquire the basic knowledge necessary for his professional growth that will allow him to deepen the concepts learned