00870 - Social Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the main theoretical and methodological orientations of Social Psychology; - is able to distinguish between the concepts of “personal identity” and “social identity”; - is able to master concepts such as 'risk and protective factors', “resilience”, “global therapeutic environment”, “therapeutic community”, “adolescent deviance”; - is familiar with the concept of “empowerment” and “burnout”; - is familiar with the main issues related to the migration process; - is familiar with the main theories of social development; - is able to master the concepts of “ecological context”, “ecological niche” and “psychosocial transition”; - is familiar with the main developmental tasks in adolescence; - is able to distinguish between the concepts of “social aggregate” and “group”; - is able to carry out educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention in social discomfort; - is able to actively participate in the work and supervision team; - knows the main information retrieval tools within his/her area of intervention; - is able to carry out bibliographical research in his/her field of study; - is able to conduct group activities; - is able to critically and periodically carry out self-assessment and self-monitoring activities.

Course contents

The program concerns:

1. Main concepts and theories of general and social psychology: social perception, the Self, attitudes, social influence, prejudices and stereotypes, aggressive and altruistic behavior
2. Emerging adulthood between "normality" and "non normality" (school and work; migration; juvenile violence and delinquency; substance addiction)
3. The helping professions between potentials and risks

The period of the lessons is in the second semester (from February to April)

Readings/Bibliography

• Boca, S., Bocchiaro, P., & Scaffidi Abbate, C., Introduzione alla Psicologia Sociale. Il Mulino. (except chapter 1)
• Speltini, G. (a cura di), L'età giovanile: disagio e risorse psicosociali. Il Mulino. (only chapters 6-7-8-9-10)

Any edition of the books would be fine.

Teaching methods

The course is organised on the basis of:

• lectures supported by PowerPoint slides
• supporting material taken from different disciplinary fields (literature, cinema, essay writing)
• videos

Assessment methods

At the end of the lessons, the student have to take an exam (the assessments will be with scale 30). The exam will be a writing with three open questions. A positive result is conditional on answering all three questions.

In order to take the exam, electronic registration is required, in compliance with mandatory deadlines.

In case of exams with a large number of participants, correction before the next exam may not be guaranteed. However, the six annual exams per student will be guaranteed.

ERASMUS students can choose to perform a written or oral form, always with the same modalities.

Teaching tools

Lessons will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides.

Students with DSA or disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office as soon as possible. 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, considering the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Passini