02207 - General Psychology

Academic Year 2021/2022

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the functioning of the main cognitive processes, the distinction between adult functioning and evolutive development; - knows the techniques for observing behavior in socio-cultural and educational contexts; - is able to plan educational projects for what concerns the psychological area together with other operators in the educational area; - knows how to present information and solutions to problems for operators and those responsible for education regarding the normal development of cognitive functions; - will be able to use the knowledge acquired in the context of basic psychological processes; - has the theoretical and methodological skills to build relationships with individual children and with the group; - knows the tools and techniques for observing child behavior in educational contexts; - will be able to build educational projects; - will know how to plan educational courses based on the psychological models studied; - knows the tools to evaluate the psychological aspects of their work.

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: Evolutionary Perspective, Fenomenology, Behaviorism, Cognitive, Neuroscience and the brain-mind problem

Methods in psychological research: experimental and observational method.

Cognitive processes: attention, perception, learning, memory, language, thinking.

Specific issues: the psychophysiology of emotions.

Readings/Bibliography

Occhionero M. (a cura di). Introduzione alla psicologia generale. Roma: Carocci 2018.

Readings

Mecacci L. Storia della psicologia. Dal Novecento ad oggi. Bari: Laterza, 2019

Karmiloff-Smith A. Oltre la mente modulare. Una prospettiva evolutiva sulla scienza cognitiva. Bologna: Il Mulino, 1995

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures

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 assessment of learning takes place through the final exam that ascertains the acquisition of the expected knowledge by conducting a written test lasting 1 hour.

The test consists of 3 open-ended questions.

The exam will provide a degree between 18 and 30.

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

Teaching tools

Slides (power point)

Office hours

See the website of Miranda Occhionero

SDGs

Quality education Gender equality Decent work and economic growth

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.