12513 - Cognitive Psychology

Learning outcomes

Course contents

The course will be taught in the First semester of the academic year beginning on  30/9/2013. It is divided into two interrelated parts, the first of which (6CFU)  is introductory to the second part that will follow the first. The lessons will be on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. – Dept of Psychology, viale Berti Pichat. 5. Aula 2.

In the first part of the course, the theoretical developments of the study of cognitive processes will be presented. In particular, the shift from philosophical to experimental psychology will be analysed with a special focus on the establishment of Psychology Laboratories at the Universities. The transition from the early classical Schools (Lipsia, Wuerzburg, Berlin) to the functionalist  perspective and behaviorism will be dealt with. The development of the Human Information Processing paradigm in the Fifties and the Cognitive Science movement will be presented.

In the second part, the research paradigms that lead contemporary research will be illustrated. In particular, the most relevant theories that explain the basic cognitive processes, i.e. Visual Perception, Attention, Imagery, Memory, Language, Thinking and Reasoning will be introduced.

Students interested in both the parts (12 CFU) have to pass the examination on the whole program. No prevoiu knowledge of psychology is required

Readings/Bibliography

For the first part:
L. Mecacci, (2001), Manuale di Psicologia Generale. Giunti, Firenze. Capitolo 1 Introduzione storica.
L. Mecacci, (1992), Storia della Psicologia del ‘900. Laterza, Bari. Capitolo IV La prospettiva comportamentistica e capitolo V La prospettiva Cognitivistica.

For the second part you have to add:
Benjafield, (1995), Psicologia dei processi cognitivi. Il Mulino, Bologna. I primi 11 capitoli

Teaching methods

Lessons during which the students will be encouraged to ask questions and further explanations. At the beginning of every lesson a student will summarize the topics dealt with in the previous lesson.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. Foreign students can ask the teacher for a written examination. In this case, the students have to directly contact the teacher by email.
For the dates of the exams and subscriptions check the website: https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm

Teaching tools

Overhead transparencies and Power Point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Niccoletta Caramelli