00870 - Social Psychology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student

• knows the main theoretical and methodological orientations of Social Psychology;
• is able to distinguish between the concepts of personal identity and social identity;
• is able to master concepts such as: risk and security factors, resilience, global therapeutic environment, therapeutic community, adolescent deviance
• knows the concept of empowerment and burn-out;
• knows the main issues related to the migration process;
• knows the main theories of social development;
• is able to master the concepts of ecological context and psychosocial transition;
• knows in detail the developmental task in adolescence;
• is able to run educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention on social distress;
• is able to participate actively in all team work and supervision;
• is able to critically evaluate educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention on social distress;
• knows the main tools for information retrieval within this 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;
• knows how to use the main software submission in electronic format;
• 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:

1. Main concepts and theories of social psychology: social perception, the Self, attitudes, social influence, prejudices and stereotypes, aggressive and altruistic behavior
2. Emerging adulthood between "normality" and "non normality" (school and work; migration; juvenile violence and delinquency; substance addiction)
3. The helping professions between potentials and risks

The period of the lessons is in the second semester (from February to April)

Readings/Bibliography

• Boca, S., Bocchiaro, P., & Scaffidi Abbate, C., Introduzione alla Psicologia Sociale. Il Mulino.
• Speltini, G. (a cura di), L'età giovanile: disagio e risorse psicosociali. Il Mulino. (only chapters 6-7-8-9-10)

Teaching methods

The course is organised on the basis of:

• lectures supported by PowerPoint slides
• supporting material taken from different disciplinary fields (literature, cinema, essay writing)
• e-learning

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. 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.

In case of exams with a large number of participants, correction before the next exam may not be guaranteed. However, the six annual exams per student will be guaranteed.

ERASMUS students can choose to perform a written or oral form, always with the same modalities.

Teaching tools

Lessons will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Passini