02207 - General Psychology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the Student possesses a background that enables him/her to understand: the functioning of cognitive (perception, attention, learning, memory, thinking) and motivational (motivation, emotion, frustration, and stress) processes underlying dental patients' behaviors; verbal and nonverbal communication processes, structure and functioning of groups (leadership, communication networks, value and opinion systems), social influence processes in face-to-face and group interactions (decision formation, modification of attitudes); Specifically, the student is able to: recognize and regulate the cognitive and emotional processes associated with reactions to stress and pain in dental patients; know how to communicate effectively and clearly with patients and their families (for developmental patients); know how to assess the degree of patient compliance and know how to direct patients' attitudes and motivations toward different forms of treatment and the adoption of oral preventive techniques; know how to organize the work of a multiprofessional team, valuing the motivations and skills of staff members.

Course contents

INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY: Course introduction, expectations, motivation; introduction to psychology.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW: History and main approaches: functionalism, Gestalt, behaviorism, cognitivism, neuropsychology

PERCEPTION, ATTENTION, MEMORY and LEARNING: Perceptual processes, selective attention, types of memory, learning (classical and operant conditioning)

PERCEPTION OF PAIN: Individual differences in pain perception and management

DECISIONAL PROCESSES, EMOTIONS, MOTIVATION AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE: Decision-making processes, prospectus theory; Theories of emotions; Motivation to care; Main theories of behavior change

COMMEDICAL-PATIENT COMMUNICATION AND DISINFORMATION: Effective communication, active listening, minor patients, hints of disinformation psychology.

PERCEPTION OF RISK, HEALTH LITERACY AND NUMERACY: Perceived risk, health literacy and numeracy, implications for informed consent.

REFLECTIONS ON THE USE OF AI: Examples of possible applications (chatbots for pre-operative anxiety management, use of generative AI to simulate doctor-patient conversations, use of AI programs to generate multimedia information content for patients).

Readings/Bibliography

Nicoletti R., Rumiati R. Lotto L. (2017) Psicologia. Processi cognitivi, teoria e applicazioni. Il Mulino. (estratti)

Benedetti, F (2018). L’effetto Placebo. Breve viaggio tra mente e corpo. Carocci Editore, 2a ed.

Additional suggestions of further study texts will be provided during class.

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. The score will be weighted with the scores of the other modules of the integrated course.

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