90324 - General Psychology Workshop (A-K b)

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

This class is complementary to the course of General Psychology. The topics will be illustrated also with hands on exercises and discussions.

The following topics will be covered:

Methods. 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. Measurements of physiological activation. 

Altered state of consciousness: sleep and vegetative state.

Neurophysiological bases of emotion.

Communication with patients. Non-verbal communication. Face perception. 

Palliative care. 

 

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 participate in the hands on exercises which will be held in class.

If students will not be able to attend the hands on exercises, they will required to write a short paper on a scientific article. The article will chosen among a list that will be indicated in class and then written on the online resources for the course. The paper will consist of a critical assessment of the scientific article which will cover topics presented in class. The paper will be one page, single space and the deadline for the paper will be announced in class together with details on how the format of the paper must be.

In order to have the grade for the CI in Psicologia Generale recorded by Prof. Paolo Maria Russo the students will have to complete all the hands on exercises in class OR write the short paper.

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