PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY: THEORIES AND METHODS

Course objectives

The Course is aimed to provide a basic psychophysiological training, and to introduce the broad areas of biolog-ical bases of behaviour, within a mind-body perspective Knowledge and understanding The Course is aimed to stimulate scientific reasoning and knowledge of basic methods in psychobiological perspective. Specific topics covered will include: Structure and functions of CNS, Psychopharmacology, Methods and Strategies of Research, Sensory perception, Sleep and Biological Rhythms, Emotion, Schizophrenia and the Affective Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, ADHD, and Stress Disorders, Drug Abuse. Specific attention will be devoted to the psychobiological aspects of: emotional behavior, drug abuse, and psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, affec-tive disorders, anxiety disorders, autism, PTSD). The laboratory credits (3 CFU) will aimed to deepen knowledge on psychobiological methods and techniques. More in detail, this part of the Course will be devoted to (A) Scientific Reasoning; (B) Experimental Methods in Psy-chobiology; (C) Classical studies; (D) Use of bibliographic databases (Medline and Psycho-info); (E) critical review of articles on specific topics. Applying knowledge and understanding Undestanding the role of psychobiological factors in regulating elementary and complex behaviors within an epistemological perspective which integrates mind and body. Applying knowledge will consist of critically mastering psychobiological correlates of psy-chiatric disorders and basic knowledge of psychopharmacology. This knowledge will be useful for the following steps of university education. Making judgements The Course is aimed to promote critical thinking regarding using specific measure sin basic and applied Psychobiology. Laboratory activities will be aimed to promote awareness on characteristics of scientific experimentation and on main techniques of Psychobiology. Communication skills The Course is aimed to gain specific communication skills. To this direct aim, exams will be also oral exams (additional to written exams) for contextualizing basic notions within a me-taknowledge matrix. Learning skill Students should learn an autonomous orienting towards their subsequent steps of uni-versity education.

Channel 1
ROSSELLA VENTURA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Elements of the history of neuroscience, the main research methods, outline of functional and structural anatomy of the nervous system, regulation of movement, perception, learning and memory, development and regulation of drives, emotions and motivation. Neurotransmission and the action of psychotropic drugs. The maturation of the brain and the development of the mind. genes-environment interaction.
Prerequisites
Biology
Books
1. Neurosciences. Exploring the brain. by Bear Mark F. - Connors Barry W. - Paradise Michael A. Published by Masson. Chapters: Introduction to neuroscience- The structure of the nervous system- The central visual system- The somatosensory system- The cerebral control of movement- The chemical control of the brain and behavior- The motivation- The brain mechanisms of emotions, -The language - Mental illness - The development of brain connections - Memory systems - The molecular mechanisms of learning and memory.
Teaching mode
Lectures and laboratory (Biofeedback).
Frequency
mandatory exercises
Exam mode
Objective of the test. The overall assessment will take into account the student's ability to reason and study independently, as well as the ability to critically evaluate scientific papers proposed during the laboratory hours. Intermediate tests will be carried out during the course in order to assess the learning ability. Two intermediate tests will be carried out, one in the middle of the course and the other one at the end of the course. Type, duration and method of administration Written: Multiple choice answers and open questions. The possibility of oral integration is foreseen. Final evaluation. The final evaluation will be based on the intermediate tests and, at choice of the student, on a possible oral integration. The overall assessment will also take into account the active participation, the reasoning and autonomous study skills demonstrated by the student.
Bibliography
1. Neurosciences. Exploring the brain. by Bear Mark F. - Connors Barry W. - Paradise Michael A. Published by Masson.
Lesson mode
mandatory exercises
  • Lesson code1036152
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CoursePsycology and Health
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDM-PSI/02
  • CFU9
  • Subject areaFondamenti della psicologia