02207 - General Psychology

Learning outcomes

The course aims at offering an analytic and up-to-date survey of knowledge in the field of cognitive processes. At the end of the course participants will learn: a) to project an educational plan for the psychological aspects b) to provide information about the cognitive development to other figures involved in educational programs c) to study in deep basic psychological knowledge in subsequent academic level or in professional fields.

Course contents

The course will concern the fundamental knowledge of scientific psychology from its origins to the most recent studies on cognitive processes. The general objective of the course is to provide students the basic knowledge of the human mind functioning also in relation to neuroscience.

The outline of the course consists in:

Historical introduction to scientific psychology with particular reference to the current Psychological perspectives: Neuroscience, Evolutionary Perspective, Behaviorism, Cognitive and Socio-cultural approaches.

Methods in psychological research: experimental method, the observational method, the psychometric approach.

General conceptsabout the biologyof the mind, the states of consciousness and the neurological mechanisms underlying addiction.

Evolutionary psychology: the nature/nurture controversy in the human behavior.

Cognitive processes: perception, learning, memory, thought.

Specificissues: intelligence, emotions and personality.

Readings/Bibliography

David G. Myers.
PSICOLOGIA GENERALE. Un'introduzione al pensiero critico e all'indagine scientifica.
Bologna: Zanichelli. Ed Italiana 2014:
Chapters: Prologo, I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII, XIII.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures (PPT presentation)

Assessment methods

The examination aims to verify the achievement of the following objectives: Good knowledge of the topics which are in the program in order to verify the student's ability to use the information acquired in the various areas of intervention.

The exam will be held in written form and will provide a degree between 18 and 30. the exam will comprise 14 multiple choice questions and one open question.

During the test is not allowed the use of support material such as textbooks, notes, computer media.

Teaching tools

Frontal lectures in powerpoint presentation.

Office hours

See the website of Miranda Occhionero

See the website of Andrea De Cesarei