Clinical psychophysiology

Course objectives

The overall aim is to provide the theoretical and methodological tools that allow knowing the different ap-proaches that characterize clinical psychophysiology, as well as the salient aspects concerning evidence-based knowledge of psychopathology, favouring the development of critical skills. The overall aim is to provide the theoretical and methodological tools that allow knowing the different ap-proaches that characterize clinical psychophysiology, as well as the salient aspects concerning psycho-pathology and its diagnosis, favoring the development of critical skills. At the end of the course, the stu-dent will be able to know: a) how mind and body interact in influencing subjective experience, behavior, and psychological health; b) the main etiological models and the most recent neuroscientific paradigms used in the field of clinical psychophysiology; c) the neurobiological basis of the main mental disorders and their symptoms; d) the most innovative psychotherapeutic models; e) the main biomarkers and predictors of efficacy of psychotherapeutic approaches. In line with Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), at the end of the course the student will be able to use the acquired knowledge in understanding mental disorders as an aggregate of fundamental disturbances at neuropsychophysiological, affective, cognitive and behavioural levels and how those impairments are pre-sent in varying levels across disorders rather than being syndrome-specific. Making judgements. At the end of the course, the student will be able to use the acquired knowledge on the pros and cons of categorical versus dimensional approaches to psychopathology in the critical reading of results of studies conducted in the field of psychophysiology (e.g., unfounded therapeutic claims). Communication skills. Critical and communication skills will be developed through practical exercises, such as reading and critical analysis of scientific articles; planning and participation in a clinical psychophysiology study, and commen-tary of patients' videos shown during the lessons. Learning skills. During the course there will be two intermediate tests, designed to test and improve the student's learning skills and the ability to communicate what they have learned.

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CRISTINA OTTAVIANI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The lectures will be complemented by various practical activities to which students can participate individually and/or in small groups. In the first part of the course (from the 1st to the 3rd week: about 12 hours), the neuroscience paradigm will be applied to clinical psychology and psychopathology, to understand how brain and body interact to influence subjective experience, behaviour, and physical health. In the second part of the course (from the 4th to the 8th week: about 20 hours), the actual debate on psychiatric diagnosis will be addressed, trying to understand the relevance of the assumption of continuum between normality and psychopathology. In the third and last part of the course (from the 9th to the 12th week: about 16 hours), the most innovative therapeutic models in the field of mental health will be examined, with particular reference to evidence-based interventions and predictors of effectiveness.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for participation include the basic notions on the most important psychopathological disorders and their functioning, critical comprehension skills, and a good level of motivation to learn and work in groups.
Books
The reference teaching material consists of the collection of slides, articles and texts published in the e-learning course.
Teaching mode
The course mainly uses lectures, interspersed with a series of practical activities provided; for example, in correspondence with the lessons on the research methodology (e.g., reading and critical analysis of a scientific article) and lessons on psychopathology and related treatments (e.g., reading/observation of a clinical case, role-playing, assertiveness exercises). These activities will involve individual work or working in small groups.
Frequency
The lessons and other training activities are oriented to "regular students", not necessarily always present in the classroom. By following the lessons on e-learning and keeping in touch with a colleague present in class, these students will be able to organize their own learning in an active and regular way. The "regular students" follow the lessons in the classroom and via e-learning (when they can do it only in e-learning). Regular attendance of all classes without postponing the study of the text and slides will allow regular students to: a) being able to participate more actively in the discussion and the activities proposed during the lesson; b) passing the exam on the first session and in any case within the year.
Exam mode
The exam is oral and the questions will refer to the material and power-point presentations made available through e-learning. The duration of the exam will be 30 minutes. The final grade will be based on the evaluation of the reasoning skills acquired by the student during the course and the knowledge relative to the core theoretical and applicative models in clinical psychology. The laude will be awarded to students who show both competencies.
Bibliography
N/A
Lesson mode
The course mainly uses lectures, interspersed with a series of practical activities provided; for example, during the lessons on research methodology (e.g., reading and critical analysis of a scientific article) and lessons on psychopathology and related treatments (e.g., reading/observation of a clinical case, role-playing, assertiveness exercises). These activities will involve individual work or working in small groups.
  • Lesson code10592954
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseCognitive neuroscience
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDM-PSI/08
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaPsicologia dinamica e clinica