02207 - General Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• understand the functioning of key cognitive processes, taking into account the distinction between adult functioning and developmental functioning, which is particularly sensitive to environmental influences and experience;

• demonstrate knowledge of behavioral observation techniques within socio-cultural and educational contexts;

• contribute to the development of educational projects concerning the psychological dimension, in collaboration with professionals in the field of pedagogy;

• effectively present information and propose solutions to education professionals and stakeholders regarding the typical development of cognitive functions;

• apply acquired knowledge of basic psychological processes to pursue further professional or academic development;

• possess the theoretical and methodological skills necessary to build relationships both with individual children and with groups;

• be familiar with tools and techniques for observing children's behavior in educational settings;

• design educational projects aimed at supporting the psychological development of children, ensuring continuity and progression with preschool education and family involvement;

• plan teaching activities based on the psychological models studied;

• utilize appropriate tools to evaluate the psychological aspects of their own professional practice.

Course contents

Specifically, the course covers the history of general psychology through its key milestones, as well as the main topics within the field, including: perception, attention (selective, divided, and spatial), learning, memory, language and communication, thinking, and emotions.

To present these topics, the course may include a review and discussion of major scientific studies in the field, along with descriptions of the neural correlates associated with the behaviors that are the focus of psychological research. This approach allows students to acquire foundational psychological knowledge useful for contributing to the development of educational projects in multidisciplinary professional contexts.

Furthermore, the content provides students with essential knowledge regarding the development of cognitive functions, aimed at fostering relational skills with children, their families, and professionals in educational settings.

The course content remains valid for both currently enrolled students and those who are completing their studies beyond the standard timeframe.

Readings/Bibliography

Occhionero, M. (a cura di). Introduzione alla psicologia generale. Roma: Carocci Editore. 2018. ISBN: 978-88-430-9361-8.

For the exam, study chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 while NOT studying chapter 2.

This exam bibliography is valid for currently enrolled students, students with pending exams, those beyond the standard duration of studies, and students enrolled in the Social and Cultural Educator program who have General Psychology included in their study plan. Finally, this bibliography is valid for ERASMUS and/or foreign students.

 

Teaching methods

48 hours of lectures (2 hours per lecture). During the lectures, the instructor may use PowerPoint slides, short videos, practical exercises, or scientific articles.

Assessment methods

The assessment is conducted through a written exam consisting of 31 multiple-choice questions. Each question includes four answer options (A, B, C, or D), with only one correct answer.

The time limit for completing the exam is 40 minutes.

Throughout the entire duration of the exam, students may choose to withdraw from the exam at any time. Incorrect answers do not negatively affect the total score, and no points are deducted for incorrect or unanswered questions.

The 31 questions may concern theoretical definitions, names of key figures in General Psychology, historical dates marking the emergence of important theories or paradigms, and factual knowledge. Some questions may be based on everyday examples requiring reasoning to identify the correct answer.

The final grade is based on the number of correct answers. A minimum score of 18 out of 30 is required to pass the exam. The use of smartphones, computers, tablets, calculators, dictionaries, textbooks, teaching materials, or notes is strictly prohibited during the test.

Students who achieve at least 18/30 may choose to take an optional oral exam, which evaluates not only the correctness of answers but also the clarity of expression and the use of appropriate, discipline-specific terminology. This oral exam takes place after the publication of written exam results and can adjust the written exam grade by -3 to +3 points.

Alternatively, students may request to take the exam entirely in oral form by sending an email to the instructor no later than 7 days before the scheduled exam date. In this case, the exam will consist of five questions evaluating the relevance of responses, clarity and structure of exposition, use of appropriate technical vocabulary, and ability to critically connect various course topics. The final grade is still expressed out of 30, with 18/30 being the minimum passing score.

Students opting for the oral-only format must attend the exam session on the scheduled date and time for identification purposes and wait until the written exam is completed before sitting their oral examination.

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it): it will be their responsibility to propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must however be submitted, at least 7 days in advance, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Lectures are delivered using PowerPoint presentations. The slides are made available by the instructor on the university’s virtual platform.

Please note that the lecture slides do not replace the required textbooks for exam preparation. They are intended solely as a study aid, and any other use—such as reproduction or distribution—is considered unauthorized and prohibited.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Fabbri