NEUROPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY OF SOCIAL PROCESSES

Course objectives

1. Learning Objectives 1.1 General Objectives The course explores the neuropsychophysiological foundations of major social processes, integrating knowledge from cognitive neuroscience, social neuroscience, and psychophysiology. The goal is to understand the neural and psychophysiological bases of social behaviors. Particular attention will be given to the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying phenomena such as empathy, shared emotions, imitation and interpersonal coordination, social judgments, and moral decision-making. The course also provides both theoretical and practical skills related to the main neuroscientific and psychophysiological research methods, with a special focus on their applications in social contexts. 1.2 Specific Objectives 1.2.1 Knowledge and Understanding Students will acquire knowledge of the neural and psychophysiological foundations of social processes, developing an understanding of the integrated contributions of cognitive neuroscience, social neuroscience, and psychophysiology. They will be able to identify the most widely used research methods (fMRI, EEG, fNIRS, tES, TMS, EDA, ECG, eye-tracking, thermography) and to understand their principles and potential applications in the study of social interactions. 1.2.2 Applying Knowledge and Understanding Students will be able to apply the concepts learned to the analysis of social situations, developing the ability to interpret neuroscientific and psychophysiological data in light of psychological theories. They will also be able to transfer the knowledge acquired to multidisciplinary contexts, including clinical and rehabilitative settings. 1.2.3 Making Judgements The course fosters the development of a critical perspective towards the theories and scientific data presented. Through the discussion of research articles and case studies, students will be encouraged to elaborate personal interpretations, assess the validity of empirical evidence, and compare different approaches in the study of social cognition. 1.2.4 Communication Skills Practical activities, oral presentations, and collective discussions will help students develop scientific communication skills, enhancing their ability to present and argue research findings, engage in peer discussions, and interact with faculty members and experts. 1.2.5 Learning Skills Students will develop the ability to learn autonomously and critically from specialized scientific articles. They will be able to integrate information from different disciplines and keep up to date with new methodological and theoretical developments in the field of social and applied neuroscience.

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VANESSA ERA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course explores key social processes through an integrated perspective combining cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology, and social psychology. The aim is to understand how the brain and body contribute to our ability to relate to others by examining the neural and psychophysiological foundations of fundamental social behaviors and experiences. The course will cover topics such as: - Social touch and the regulation of interpersonal bonding -Empathy and compassion, and their associated neural circuits -Shared emotions and emotional contagion -Imitation and interpersonal motor coordination -First impressions, the formation of social judgments, and stereotyping processes -Moral decision-making, sense of agency, and personal responsibility -The importance of psychophysiological regulation in social and relational contexts -The contribution of mindfulness and body-based practices to awareness and regulation in social interactions Throughout the course, students will be introduced to and critically examine major neuroscientific and psychophysiological research techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and non-invasive brain stimulation methods (tES, TMS). Techniques for measuring autonomic nervous system activity will also be presented, such as electrodermal activity (EDA), electrocardiography (ECG), and thermography, alongside behavioral methods like eye-tracking and reaction time analysis. Special attention will be given to biofeedback and psychophysiological self-regulation techniques as applied to interpersonal processes. The course will also address clinical conditions marked by altered social cognition—such as autism, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and other forms of neurodivergence—with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanisms of relational difficulties. Students will actively participate in practical activities, oral presentations based on assigned scientific articles, and methodological discussions on research findings. The course includes seminars with experts in social, clinical, and applied neuroscience, as well as meetings with professionals who use neuropsychophysiological tools in clinical or rehabilitative settings. Active engagement will be encouraged throughout, with the goal of fostering an integrated, critical, and applicable understanding of social processes.
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge of neuroscience is required, as the course will provide students with the necessary theoretical and methodological foundations.
Books
Scientific articles and other materials related to the lectures will be made available on the course website. Studying these materials is necessary in order to pass the final exam.
Frequency
Class attendance is strongly recommended
Exam mode
The exam is intended to assess students' knowledge of the current state of the discipline and its possible applications to professional practice. It consists of a written test with open-ended questions, to be taken during the official exam sessions at the end of the course, in accordance with the academic calendar. The evaluation will also take into account each student's actual contribution to the scientific discussions, which are an integral part of the lectures.
Lesson mode
Lectures will include introductory overviews of the course topics, group discussions, and practical activities. Students will be expected to actively participate in class through ongoing discussions, which are an integral part of the teaching approach.
  • Lesson code10621364
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseCognitive neuroscience
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDM-PSI/02
  • CFU6