Sciences and techniques of social work

The course aims to illustrate the main theoretical, conceptual and methodological aspects inherent to the branch of psychology that studies both the interaction between people and how behaviour, attitudes and feelings are influenced by the presence of others. Knowledge and understanding - knowledge of the main models of social psychology that over the years have attempted to explain the main group dynamics and social behaviour from a psychological point of view, with particular reference to the in-depth study of the influence that the social context exerts on cognitive processes, communication - verbal and non-verbal - on behaviour, and on the development of the individual - acquire theoretical keys to understanding the social processes in which the individual is embedded at a micro level (family, peer group, school and/or work environment) and at a macro level (relations between different ethnic groups). - Understanding the dynamics related to the ‘helping relationship’ and what its aims are, illustrating in detail what psychological and communication skills are needed to implement effective intervention projects in the health field. Applying knowledge and understanding The study of the main theoretical, conceptual and methodological aspects of social psychology is aimed at attaining a critical and analytical capacity to analyse a wide range of social phenomena, both individual and embedded in group dynamics. At the end of the course, students will be able to use the social psychology models they have learnt to interpret and understand different social behaviours and to apply them selectively according to the context of reference: both in the strictly social field and in the health field (as far as the helping professions are concerned) Critical and judgmental skills The lectures focus on the presentation of the central themes of social psychology with the help of example videos that provide important material for classroom discussion and debate. Therefore, students are constantly invited to participate in the classroom discussions, critically exposing their own ideas and taking argued positions from a psychological and social psychology perspective on the various topics proposed during the course. In addition, explanatory case discussions are held in order to understand how to design preventive or rehabilitative interventions in the health sector to help people who are mentally, physically, economically or socially disadvantaged. Communication skills - Ability to apply the processes of argumentation, communication and comparison. Students, therefore, can exhibit their expressive mastery and level of conceptual analysis while participating in classroom discussions on the main topics proposed during the course. - specific communication skills that the helping professional must possess in order to perform their work in the health care field to the best of their ability. Learning skills: - Ability to use bibliographical references for further study of the topics addressed in the lectures, as well as websites where to carry out bibliographical research on the most recent studies published in the disciplinary scientific field. - Ability to use both the knowledge and the methodological tools they have acquired to independently design and carry out experimental studies in the field of social psychology using the research paradigms covered by the course. - Ability to continue to keep abreast of the most recent lines of investigation in social psychology, demonstrating that they have developed the learning skills necessary to independently pursue the studies envisaged in the degree course and subsequent ones.