90324 - General Psychology Workshop (C1B)

Learning outcomes

This course will focus on the the experimental methods to investigate cognitive processes such as physiological and pathological altered state of consciousness (sleep and vegetative state), perception and memory with a particular attention to the neurophysiological bases of emotion and non verbal communication.  Recognizing the basic components of the strategies of informative and persuasive communication is key to improve patient’s cooperation and adherence to medical care.

 

 

Course contents

Methods in neuroscience. An historical perspective on research approaches in neuroscience: from the study of brain lesions to functional magnetic resonance (fMRI). Difference between fMRI and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

 Altered state of consciousness: sleep, coma and vegetative state.

Faces as important tools for communications. Why studying face perception: recognition of a wide varieties of signs that play a role not only for diagnosis but also for efficient interpersonal communication.  Recognition of from identity. Plastic surgery and the ethical issues of face transplant. The neural mechanisms for face perception. Recognition of facial expressions of emotion. Gaze perception in clinical populations. Autisms.

Understanding others. Emotions and their neurophysiological basis. Classical theories of emotion (theory by James-Lange;  Canon-Bard; Schachter-Singer). Neurophysiological basis of empathy and emotions: mirror neurons and the theory of mind areas.

Pain perception and its modulation.

Readings/Bibliography

A pdf of the powerpoint presentation will be available on "Insegnamenti Online" after each lecture. Pdfs of the powerpoint presentations of the lectures will be the material to be reviewed for the written exam.

 

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The following textbooks are recommended if you want to explore further the topics covered in class but it will not be part of the written exam.

1. Feldman R.S., PSICOLOGIA GENERALE. McGraw-Hill

2. Psicologia generale. La scienza della mente e del pensiero.

(a cura di T. Marzi A. Peru, R. Merlini (Traduttore), L. Tasso (Traduttore).

Ed McGraw Hill

Teaching methods

Lectures with slides. At the end of each lecture a pdf with the powerpoint presentation will be distributed to students. Pdfs with the powerpoint presentations of the lectures will be the material to be reviewed for the written exam at the end of the course.

Assessment methods

Students will be required to write a short paper on two scientific articles, which will be assigned during the lectures. The papers will consist of a critical assessment of the scientific articles which will cover topics presented in class. Each paper will be one page, single space and the deadline for the papers will be announced in class together with details on how the format of the paper must be.

Both papers must pass, in order to have the grade for the CI in Psicologia Generale recorded by Prof. Paolo Maria Russo. The assessment will be 'pass'/'not pass'.

Teaching tools

At the end of each lecture the pdf of the slide will be distributed through the online platform.

During the lectures, several videos will be shown with examples of the concepts covered in class.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Ida Gobbini