- Docente: Valentina Colonnello
- Credits: 2
- SSD: M-PSI/01
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Ravenna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Speech and Language Therapy (cod. 9080)
-
from Oct 09, 2025 to Nov 25, 2025
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student has knowledge of the neurobiological foundations and functional organization of cognitive and emotional–motivational processes.
Course contents
Attention: mechanisms of information selection; subcomponents of attention and their biological bases; neuropsychological models.
Learning: classical conditioning and operant conditioning; non-associative learning; individual and cultural factors influencing learning.
Memory: biological bases of memory; stages of information processing; memory models; the construction of memories; forgetting and memory interference; the relationship between memory and emotions.
Language: different levels of language; language acquisition and development; psycholinguistic models: the mental lexicon and access pathways, information recognition and selection; aphasia and specific learning disorders.
Communication: verbal and non-verbal communication; effective communication in healthcare settings; psychological factors that influence (facilitate or hinder) the relationship between healthcare provider and patient, as well as communication in professional healthcare contexts.
Emotions and Motivation: biological bases of emotions and motivation; components of emotional responses; functions of emotions; emotions and cognitive processes; emotional expression and regulation.
Stress: responses to stressful events; biological, individual, and social mediators of the stress response; coping mechanisms; emotional modulation of stress and pain.
Readings/Bibliography
Turatto M. (a cura di). PSICOLOGIA GENERALE. Mondadori, 2018 (capitoli 4, 5, 7, 8, 10).
Feldman R.S. (2017, III ed), PSICOLOGIA GENERALE. McGraw-Hill, 2017 (capitolo 13).
Ladavas E. e Berti A. NEUROPSICOLOGIA. Il Mulino, 2009 (capitolo 5).
Teaching methods
Teaching involves lectures and practical exercises carried out by students individually or in small groups.
Assessment methods
The exam consists of a written test with 31 multiple-choice questions, each with 5 answer options. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
Teaching tools
Slides, videos, and scientific articles discussed in class are available on Virtuale
Office hours
See the website of Valentina Colonnello
SDGs
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.