56128 - Psychology of Adolescence

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student - knows the main theoretical and methodological orientations of Adolescence Psychology; - is able to distinguish between the concepts of personal identity and social identity; - is able to master concepts such as: developmental tasks, identity crisis, coping, emerging adulthood - knows the main changes in adolescence (physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional) and their rebounds on identity construction; - knows the importance of social context (family, peers, school, social institutions, culture) in adolescental development;- is able to master the concepts of ecological context and psychosocial transition; - knows the difference between normal and non normal processes of development; - knows in detail the main theories about the deviance in adolescence and the phenomenon of substance addiction; - knows the issues related to the migration process in adolescence; - is able to run educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention on social distress; - is able to critically evaluate educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention on social distress in adolescence; - knows the main tools for information retrieval within its area of intervention; - can carry out bibliographical researches in his/her field of study; - is able to conduct group activities; - is able to conduct individual interviews; - is able to draw up reports of research and reports on his/her activities; - is able to make autoupdating activities; - is able to carry out self-assessment and self-monitor activities periodically and in a critical way.

Course contents

The program concerns these topics:

• The adolescence in classical and recent theories;
• The main changes in adolescence and their rebounds on the identity construction;
• The social contexts and their influence on adolescent's development (family, peers, school, institutions);
• The juvenile deviance and drug addiction;
• Deepening on youth violence.

Readings/Bibliography

• Palmonari, A. (a cura di) (2011). Psicologia dell'adolescenza. Bologna: Il Mulino (except for Cap. 3, 6, 8, 14, 15 e 18)
• F. Muratori (2005), Ragazzi violenti, Bologna, Il Mulino
• Some articles on Benessere in Adolescenza (to be downloaded from the online platform)

Teaching methods

The course is organised on the basis of:

• lectures supported by PowerPoint slides;
• brief discussions about the proposed themes;
• supporting material taken from different disciplinary fields (literature, cinema, essay writing).
• elearning

Assessment methods

At the end of the lessons, the student have to take an exam (the assessments will be with scale 30). The exam will be a writing with three open questions in a hour and an half. On the e-learning of the course, students can find the complete list of the possible examination questions will be provided by the teacher.

In order to take the exam, electronic registration is required, in compliance with mandatory deadlines.

Students who fail an exam cannot retake it at the subsequent exam date. However, the six annual exams per student will be guaranteed.

Teaching tools

Lessons will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides. Part of the course will take place via e-learning (the details will be provided at the beginning of the course).

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Passini

See the website of Paola Villano