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48927 - Psychology of Social Development

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Cesena
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in School and community psychology (cod. 0993)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students have acquired: - knowledge on the main approaches to the development of social competence; - knowledge on the main methods of research and intervention on socialization through the life span; - skills in evaluation of effectiveness of research and interventions on socialization through the lifespan; - skills for designing and implementing interventions targeted to individuals and groups aimed at promoting socialization through the life span.

Course contents

The course aims at providing an in-depth insight into the preocesses of socialization and social development.

the main contents of the lectures will be:

  • theory of mind (typical and atypical development)
  • empathy and pro-sociality
  • aggressive behaviour and bullying
  • development of social cognition: gender identity, stereotyping and prejudice, racial prejudice and intergroup relations, obesity stigma
  • media influences, sexual objectification, and body image
Individual and group works will be dedicated to the discussion of assessment tools and intervention programs.

Readings/Bibliography

  • Gini, G. (2012). Psicologia dello sviluppo sociale. Bari: Laterza. Disponibile anche in e-book.
  • Grusec, & Hastings (2007). Handbook of socialization: Theory and research. New York; London: Guilford press (solo i capitoli 1, 8, 16, 22, e 26).

Teaching methods

The course will include both plenary lectures and small-group or individual work sessions. in particular, individual and group works will be devoted to the analysis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses concerning the main topics of the course program. 

Assessment methods

Written assessment will consist of three to four open-answer questions, covering the contents of the course. 

students will be asked to display thorough knowledge of the core topics of the course, and should be able to base their answers on well-grounded empirical evidence

Teaching tools

Slides will be made available via the web platform AMS Campus

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Tomasetto