Cognitive Forensic Sciences

The course aims at providing the students with theoretical and practical knowledge that would them help to understand how to use theoretical models for the study of the development of deviant-antisocial behavior, with a special focus on individual differences and personality, and, to acquire extensive scientific knowledge on personality functioning and development of deviant and criminal behaviors. Furthermore, the course will offer methodological competence in the application of main tools for the assessment of personality and deviant behaviors in the contexts of juridical -forensic . The expected learning outcomes would be competent and critical reading of theoretical models related to personality psychology, of scientific literature related to the association between personality and deviant outcomes from infancy to adult age; competent profile analysis of single cases. The traditional lectures would allow students to master the main principles behind scientific knowledge in the explanation of the relations between personality and deviant behaviors, the assessment process, the ethical and methodological principles of administration (also ethical) and interpretation of tests with children, adolescents and adults. The laboratory thus ensures acquiring the practical and technical ability related to the assessment procedures and the analysis of single cases. The students will examine, according to dimensional approach, the main instruments related to the assessment of personality and the different personality typologies in the context of juridical forensic. The laboratory thus ensures acquiring the practical and technical ability related to personality assessment in children, adolescents and adults. Attendance to the laboratory lessons and experiences must be considered mandatory. Specific aims. Knowledge and understanding: passing the exam would imply being capable of understanding and using the most widely theoretical models and used tools for the assessment of personality and deviant behaviors, as well as the profile analysis useful for understanding individual at risk of antisocial and criminal behaviors . Applying knowledge and understanding: passing the exam would imply mastering the knowledge and use appropriate instruments for the research and the assessment of personality in juridical and forensic context. Making judgment: passing the exam would imply to be able to make informed judgments and evaluations of theoretical models, as well of assessment instruments, recognizing their strengths and limits. These abilities would be attained through discussions on single cases and reports. Discussions would be held in the traditional lessons as well as during the laboratory sessions. Communication skills: passing the exam would attest that students master the communication abilities and tools needed for an efficacious scientific communication and assessment process. Learning skills: passing the exam would attest the acquisition of skills conducive to further learning related to psychological assessment. During the traditional lessons such abilities would be transmitted by emphasizing the existing different perspectives on the study of personality, and showing during the laboratory session, the complex assessment and comprehension (reading) of single cases related to different developmental phases, such as late infancy, adolescence and young adulthood.