53184 - Psychology and Psychopathology of Sexual Behaviour

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will be able to: get a detailed knowledge of the psychology and psychopathology of sexual behavior; evaluate the psychological aspects associated with sexuality; define and interpret clinical cases from both the psychological and psychopatological perspective

Course contents

The course takes place during the first semester. Classes are held at the Cesena (FC) campus of the Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari".

Course Contents:

THE TOPICS COVERED IN THE COURSE ARE ORGANIZED INTO SEVEN MAIN AREAS:

1. Sexual Positivity
   • Cultural and historical perspectives on human sexuality
   • Challenges in integrating sexuality into clinical psychological research and practice, and rehabilitation
   • Sex counseling and the role of sex education
2. Anatomy and Physiology of the Sexual Response
3. Self-Acceptance and Gender Identity
4. Resilience, Pride, Coping, and Sexual Orientation
5. Relationships and Mental Health
6. Psychological Impact of Disability or Illness on Sexuality
   • Bio-psycho-social model, clinical assessment approach, and sexuality
   • Medical and psychiatric comorbidities and sexuality
7. Psychopathology of Sexual Behavior and Interventions
   • Female sexual disorders (DSM-5TR)
   • Male sexual disorders (DSM-5TR)
   • Interventions and principles of sex therapy

Readings/Bibliography

MANDATORY READINGS 

These textbooks and chapters are available online and free of charge through the Silvana Contento University Library, Department of Psychology, Cesena campus.

• Lehmiller Justin J. The Psychology of Human Sexuality, 2nd Edition. Wiley Blackwell (2018). ISBN: 978-1-119-16470-8. (Chapter: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,13)
• Balon R & Segraves RT. Clinical Manual of sexual disorders. American Psychiatric Publishing, 2009. Arlington, VA (Chapters: 2,3)
• Levine Stephen B., Risen Candace B., and Althof Stanley E.. Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals (3rd Edition). Routledge, 2016. New York and London. Section 2- part C (chapters: 23,24,25,27,33)
• Hall Kathryn S. K. and Binik Yitzchak M. (a cura di). Principles and practice of sex therapy, sixth edition. The Guilford Press, (2020). New York (chapters: 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7,8,9,11, 14, 18, 19, 20,21)
• Articoli scientifici: Saranno resi disponibili articoli scientifici come eventuale integrazione al materiale d'esame. Gli articoli scientifici qualora utili ai fini dell’esame saranno resi disponibili dalla docente su Risorse didattiche su Virtuale [https://virtuale.unibo.it]

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS (NOT MANDATORY)

• Balon R & Segraves RT. Clinical Manual of sexual disorders. American Psychiatric Publishing, 2009. Arlington, VA (Chapters: 5,6,7,8,9,10,11)
• Lehmiller Justin J. The Psychology of Human Sexuality, 2nd Edition. Wiley Blackwell (2018). ISBN: 978-1-119-16470-8. (Chapters:9,10,11,12,14, 15)
• Levine Stephen B., Risen Candace B., and Althof Stanley E. Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals (3rd Edition). Routledge, 2016. New York and London. Section 2 (part A (5,6,7 chapters) part B (9, 11, 12, 13)

Teaching methods

Classes are conducted in Italian, with teaching materials in English.

Lessons will include: Small group activities, Case analysis, Role-playing

Scientific articles for in-depth study may be recommended.
Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended for effective learning (see also “Assessment Methods”).

Assessment methods

Written exam (via Esami Online – EOL platform), Duration: 60 minutes

Structure: 30 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) (0.75 points each, no penalties for incorrect/blank answers), 1 open-ended question (up to 8,5 points each)

The exam evaluates: Knowledge of course content, Ability to integrate and organize information, Focus on clinical and therapeutic implications

Open-ended question grading criteria: Relevance and completeness (0–3 points), Critical thinking and synthesis (0–2 point), Theoretical framework completeness (0–2 point), Language correctness (0–0.5 points) and clinical examples (0–1 points)

To pass the exam, a minimum of 18/30 is required. Full marks (30/30) and honors depend on both MCQ accuracy and open-answer quality.

There are no midterm exams or prerequisites.
Registration for the exam is through the AlmaEsami system.

On exam day, students must bring their own PC, tablet, or mobile device (PC preferred).
No materials (books, notes, e-books, etc.) are allowed during the test.

Special Provisions

Erasmus/Exchange students: Contact the instructor at the beginning of the course or at least 15 days before the exam.

Students with DSA/disabilities: Contact the university office for assistance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). Requests must be submitted at least 15 days before the exam and are subject to approval by the instructor.

Teaching tools

Video projector

DVD player

Overhead projector

PC

Teaching materials (if provided by the instructor) can be accessed at: https://virtuale.unibo.it [https://virtuale.unibo.it/]
Access is restricted to enrolled students at the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Tomba