76043 - General Psychology

Learning outcomes

The student has developed scientific and disciplinary competencies concerning the organization of behavior and the core psychological functions—perception, emotion, motivation, memory, learning, thinking, and language—through which individuals engage with their environment and construct representations of both the external world and the self. Furthermore, the student possesses a thorough understanding of emotional and motivational processes and their regulatory role in human behavior.

Course contents

I) Perception

Constructive perception

Functions

II) Attention

• Selective attention
• Divided or distributed attention
• Behavioral Rhythms and the Sleep-Wake Cycle

III) Learning

• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Criticisms of behaviorism

IV) Memory

• Information-processing systems in memory
• Encoding, storage, and retrieval processes
• Forgetting
• Memory dysfunctions

V) Emotions and Motivational Systems

• Classical and contemporary theories
• Components of emotional response
• Emotions and motivational systems

Readings/Bibliography

Legrenzi, P., & Jacomuzzi, A. (2021). Fondamenti di psicologia generale: Teorie e pratiche (2ª ed.). Il Mulino.


Materials presented in lectures and available on the Virtuale Platform

Teaching methods

Lectures and classroom practical sessions

Assessment methods

Passing the Integrated Course (I.C.) in Human Sciences is possible exclusively through a single exam, which assesses the knowledge acquired in both components of the I.C. — General Psychology and Pedagogy — to be taken concurrently in a single examination session. At the conclusion of the exam, students will receive a single overall grade. If a student fails to achieve a passing mark in either module or wishes to improve their grade, they must retake the entire exam.

The final grade for the I.C. is calculated as the weighted average of the scores obtained in the General Psychology and Pedagogy exams. Rounding is applied upwards if the decimal is 0.5 or higher, and downwards otherwise. Honors (cum laude) are awarded only if achieved in both modules.

The I.C. exam consists of a written test for the General Psychology component and an oral test for the Pedagogy component.

The written test in General Psychology lasts 27 minutes and consists of 31 multiple-choice questions covering the main topics of the course. Each correct answer is awarded one point, while incorrect or missing answers receive no points. The maximum achievable score is 30 cum laude, and the minimum passing score is 18/30. The use of supporting materials, such as textbooks, notes, or electronic devices, is strictly prohibited during the test.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

The handouts of lectures slides will be provided by the teacher on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)

Office hours

See the website of Monica Martoni