78856 - General Psychology

Learning outcomes

The student knows the cognitive processes (attention, memory, learning, reasoning and problem solving) relevant in decision making, risk perception and executive activities of complex performance in ergonomics. He/she also knows the processes of activation and control of emotional and motivational components of behavior, psychological and physiological reactions to stress, and stress management through coping strategies. The student knows the functions and interdependence of verbal and nonverbal communication, salient features of effective communication and persuasive communication. The student understands Cognitive, emotional and behavioral components of attitudes: cognitive consistency and dissonance in attitude modification in health care and environmental risk prevention. The student understands Group dynamics: communication networks, leadership styles, group norms, condescension and conformity; the formation of group "mindset".

Course contents

BASICS OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY: Introduction to psychology as a science of behavior; Methods of investigation in psychology; Historical background and main approaches (behaviorism, cognitivism, neuroscience)

PERCEPTION, ATTENTION AND MEMORY: Cognitive mechanisms of attention and perception (analysis of perceptual illusions); Short/long-term memory and mnestic distortions

EMOTIONS, MOTIVATIONS AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: Role of emotions in decisions; Models of motivation (intrinsic/extrinsic, self-determination theory); Decisions under uncertainty (heuristics and bias)

RISK PERCEPTION, HEALTH LITERACY AND NUMERACY: Discrepancy between objective and subjective risk, statistical illiteracy and numeracy, risk communication in health care.

PSYCHOLOGY OF DISINFORMATION AND PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC BELIEFS: Cognitive mechanisms of misinformation; Debunking and pre-bunking methods, with practical exercise.

THEORIES OF BEHAVIORAL CHANGE: Main models: Theory of planned behavior; Transtheoretical model; COM-B model; Nudge theory; Applications in health promotion

COMMUNICATION AND PERSUASION: Verbal and nonverbal communication, main communication models; perusasion.

HINTS TO SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF HEALTH BEHAVIOR: Social norms and group influence; Interpersonal and professional communication; Role of culture in health perception

Readings/Bibliography

A pdf of the powerpoint presentation will be available on "Virtuale" 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.

· Nicoletti R., Rumiati R., Lotto L. (2017). Psicologia. Processi cognitivi, teoria e applicazioni. Il Mulino (Capitoli: 1 Cenni storici; 2 metodi di ricerca in psicologia; 3 Sensazione e percezione (solo Percezione) 4 Attenzione; 6 Sistemi e processi di memoria; 9 Comunicazione; 12 Giudizio e decisione; 13 Emozioni)

· Bassi M., Delle Fave A. (2019, II ed). Psicologia generale per le professioni medico-sanitarie. UTET. (Capitolo 7 La motivazione)

· Gremigni e Gorini (2022). Psicologia e Salute. Carocci Editore (Capitoli: 4. Teorie e modelli dei comportamenti di salute, e 5. Comportamenti a rischio e di protezione per la salute)

Teaching methods

Lectures with slides. At the end of each lecture a pdf with the powerpoint presentation will be uploaded for students.

During classes students will learn with examples and individual and group practical activities.

Assessment methods

Written exam with 11 multiple choice questions and 4 open-ended questions.

The multiple choice test consists of 4-choice questions on the topics covered during the lectures, where one answer is correct (score +1). There are no penalties for wrong or blank answers.

Each open-ended question will be scored from 0 to 5. The maximum total score for all correct answers is 31 that is 30 e lode.

Grade acceptance/refusal: After the grades are communicated to the students, students have to accept/refuse the grade within 5 days with an email sent to the instructor (teresa.gavaruzzi@unibo.it), after that time the grade is no longer valid.

The possibility to engage in integrative activities will be discussed during the first class.

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 (at least 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 online platform (Virtuale).

Office hours

See the website of Teresa Gavaruzzi