87593 - Psychology of Health and Physical Activity

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - acquires knowledge on psychological and behavioral factors in the adoption and maintenance of an active lifestyle; - develop interpersonal skills for the promotion of physical activity aimed at individuals, groups and communities; - increase knowledge on models and techniques of behavior change.

Course contents

The course aims to analyze the main models of treatment and prevention of diseases related to sedentariness; the conceptions of illness, deficit and disability; the promotion of health and psychophysical wellbeing and the search for an active and healthy lifestyle in different ages. Particular attention is paid to the psychological and social aspects concerning emotional, communicative and relational processes related to sport, physical exercise and motor activities. In the phenomenological perspective adopted, the clinical histories and life experiences presented are an essential part of the program.

Readings/Bibliography

Vignati R. (2017) Lo sguardo sulla persona. Psicologia delle relazioni umane, Libreriauniversitaria.it edizioni, Padova.

Prati G, Pietrantoni L. (2012) Attivi e sedentari. Psicologia dell’attività fisica, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Ripamonti C.A. (2015) Manuale di psicologia della salute. Prospettive cliniche, dinamiche e relazionali, Il Mulino, Bologna.

(cap. III, IV, V)

Recommended: Jon Krakauer, Into the wild (tr. it. Nelle terre estreme, Corbaccio, 2008).

Teaching methods

Interactive lessons in the classroom and group work on events and phenomena related to health and illness, psychological, social and environmental factors, sports and physical and physical activities. The lessons will be accompanied by appropriate teaching material, made available to the student, concerning the issues in the classroom.

Assessment methods

Attending students (at least 70% of the lessons): the exam consists in the presentation in the classroom, with the help of power point, of a clinical report, accompanied by personal reflections, chosen from those proposed by the teacher. The assessment is based on the quality of personal reflections and considerations, and on the accuracy of the presentation.

Students not attending: the verification consists of an oral examination that focuses on the texts indicated in the bibliography. The structured questionnaire is based on three questions to assess the consistency of the knowledge learned and the ability to link, as well as the critical analysis, of psychological, social and environmental factors to the issues of health and physical activity.

Teaching tools

Video projector for the vision of slides and documents in power point and film, and the aid of educational material.

Office hours

See the website of Renato Vignati