85060 - PSICOLOGIA GENERALE

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the main sensory, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes, and will understand how these processes interact in the regulation of behaviour and in the individual’s adaptation to the environment.

Students will also be able to apply the main concepts of general psychology to the analysis of motor behaviour and sports performance, as well as to understand and critically discuss basic scientific studies in the field of sport psychology.

Course contents

Lectures – 32 hours

Introduction to general and sport psychology and research methods

Definitions, subject matter, main theoretical perspectives, historical background, and fields of application of general psychology and sport psychology.

The scientific method in psychology: observation, formulation of hypotheses, variables, observational and experimental methods, research designs, and the main tools used in psychological research. Students will also be introduced to basic concepts for understanding and critically evaluating a scientific study.

Perception, body, action, and attention in sport

Main sensory and perceptual processes relevant to action and sports performance. Spatial perception, body representation, and the relationship between perception and movement.

The concept of affordance and the perception of the opportunities for action offered by the environment. Planning and control of voluntary movement, coordination, and the use of feedback information.

Selective, sustained, and divided attention, attentional orienting, interference, and attentional control in motor and sports performance.

The main executive functions will also be briefly introduced, with particular reference to inhibition, cognitive flexibility, working memory, planning, and decision-making in sport.

Learning and memory

Main forms of learning, with particular reference to conditioning and observational learning.

Memory systems and processes, procedural memory, the acquisition and consolidation of motor skills, and the role of experience and practice in sports performance.

Emotions, motivation, and sports performance

Main theories of emotion and motivation. Emotion regulation, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, anxiety, stress, and psychophysiological arousal.

The relationship between emotional states, motivation, and performance, with particular reference to the management of anxiety and stress in sports contexts.

 

Laboratory and practical activities – 16 hours

1. Guided research activity in sport psychology

• Students will take part in a research activity developed using the Qualtrics platform, aimed at exploring psychological and cognitive processes relevant to physical activity and sport.
• The activity will include the completion of questionnaires and simple psychological tasks, including the IPAQ, FAS, and m-FPT, as well as data collection, data organisation, and basic statistical analysis.
• Working in small groups, students will be guided in interpreting the results and preparing a brief presentation to be delivered and discussed in class.

2. Presentation and discussion of scientific articles

• Each group will select, under the supervision of the lecturer, a scientific article related to one of the sport psychology topics covered during the course.
• Students will present the aims, methods, main findings, and implications of the study. The presentation will be followed by a discussion of the theoretical, methodological, and applied aspects of the article.

Plenary discussion

The practical activities will include collective discussion sessions focusing on the results, methodological issues, and the connections between the theoretical content of the course, scientific research, and sports practice.

The activities will also contribute to the development of teamwork, data interpretation, critical evaluation of scientific literature, and oral communication skills.

Readings/Bibliography

• Lecture slides provided by the lecturer.
• Scientific articles selected and recommended during the course.

Recommended textbook

Mandolesi, L. (2017). Manuale di psicologia generale dello sport. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures supported by practical examples, case discussions, brief in-class activities, and audiovisual materials.

Laboratory activities will be carried out mainly in small groups and will include participation in a research activity using the Qualtrics platform, organisation, analysis, and discussion of the collected data, as well as the presentation and in-class discussion of scientific articles related to the topics covered during the course.

Particular attention will be devoted to active student participation and to the development of critical, methodological, practical, and communication skills.

Assessment methods

The final examination consists of a written test covering the topics addressed during the course.

The test includes 26 multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question. Each multiple-choice question has three response options, only one of which is correct.

Scores are assigned as follows:

• 1 point for each correct answer to a multiple-choice question;
• 0 points for each incorrect or unanswered multiple-choice question;
• up to 5 points for the open-ended question.

The maximum overall score is 31 points. The examination is passed with a score of at least 18 points. A score of 31 corresponds to 30/30 with honours.

The open-ended question will be assessed on the basis of the accuracy and completeness of the answer, clarity of expression, appropriate use of psychological terminology and, where required, the ability to provide relevant examples.

For example, a student who answers 20 multiple-choice questions correctly and receives 3 points for the open-ended question will obtain a final grade of 23/30.

The final grade is determined exclusively by the written examination. Laboratory and practical activities are an integral part of the course but do not contribute to the final grade.

 

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University office responsible for support services as early as possible:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students 

The office will propose appropriate adjustments. Any request for adaptation must be submitted to the lecturer at least 15 days before the examination date. The lecturer will assess the suitability of the proposed adjustments in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

• Lecture slides provided by the lecturer.

• Recommended textbook.

• Scientific articles.

• Videos and selected multimedia materials.

• Questionnaires and tools used during practical activities.

• Examples of data analysis and templates for preparing the report.

Final note

The course is worth 5 ECTS credits and includes 32 hours of lectures and 16 hours of laboratory and in-class practical activities, in accordance with the degree programme regulations.

Office hours

Please consult Andrea Pavan’s personal webpage.

 

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Pavan