Teaching code

4S02430

Credits

9

Moodle Seminars

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning outcomes

General aims: The course aims to provide theoretical knowledge to understand the main cognitive functions and the dynamics of groups in relation to motor activity and sports practice. The course consists of two teachings: General and Sport Psychology and Group Psychology.
Specific objectives: the teaching General and Sport Psychology aims to provide the theoretical and methodological basis necessary to understand the processes that regulate human behavior and cognitive functions (such as perception, attention, learning, memory, reasoning, emotions) with particular reference to the motor domain and sports situations. At the end of the teaching, the student must demonstrate the ability to connect the effects of motor activity and sports practice to the physical and psychological well-being of the individual. The teaching Group Psychology aims to present a picture of the main areas of research and psychological intervention applied to sports teams (sports) and to active groups (physical exercise). At the end of the teaching, the student must demonstrate the ability to connect the key concepts of group psychology to the application contexts of physical education.

Program

The course consists of two parts: General and Sports Psychology and Groups Psychology.
The part of General and Sports Psychology will cover the following topics:
- Bases of neurobiology: the biological bases of cognitive functions;
- Bases of neuroanatomy: The role of brain plasticity in the motor domain;
- The basic principles of visual perception; Gestalt principles, optical illusions and Motion detection;
- The perception-action loop: visual systems for recognition and action. The parietal-premotor circuits for reaching and grasping;
- The mirror neuron system. The role of the sensory systems in action control;
- Other sensory systems that contribute to the perception-actions loop: the role of the somatosensory system and the role of the vestibular system;
- Attention: top-down and bottom-up processes. Spatial orientation of attention: Posner paradigm and its application in sports;
- Selective attention: parallel and serial processing;
- Focused and diffused attention. The focus of attention. Internal and external focus and its impact on sports performance;
- Learning: Biological basese and behavioral theories: classical and operant conditioning;
- Memory: Methods to test memory. The phases of memory. Memory systems: sensory, short-term, long-term. Physical exercise and memory;
- Emotions: primary and complex. Theories of emotions and interactions between emotions and other cognitive functions;
- The role of physical exercise on the individual's emotional state: main physiological and psychological mechanisms;
- Language: Processes of understanding and production. Biological bases of language and main theories;
- The decision making process. Reasoning and heuristics.

The part of Groups Psychology will address the following topics:
- Levels of analysis and intervention of applied psychology to sport;
- Consulting with athletes and teams. The Model of Basic Mind Skills;
- Motivational processes in sport;
- How to educate and support motivation in active and sporting groups;
- The definition of groups in sport and exercise;
- Roles, status, group rules. Maximizing performance in groups;
- Leader and leadership in groups. Competition, co-operation and cohesion in the groups: performance effects;
- Groups and Physical Activities Adapted for elderly people with or without disability: psychosocial benefits of inclusion. Gender differences in groups;
- Communication in groups.

Teaching methods
Teaching consists of frontal lessons, divided as follows: 48 hours (6 CFUs) are devoted to the part of General and Sports Psychology, while 24 hours (3 CFUs) are dedicated to the part of Group Psychology. The first lesson will serve to guide students thought the course: information will be provided about the program, the lesson schedule, the reference textbooks, and the exams. In addition, for each topic discussed during the lessons, the reference will be provided to the chapters in which that topic is described. Additional materials will be provided on the e-learning platform of the University.
Throughout the academic year, a student reception service is available, with a weekly fixed schedule.

Suggested textbooks
For General and Sports Psychology:
- Mandolesi L. Manuale di psicologia generale dello sport. Ed Il Mulino.
- Zorzi M, Girotto V. Fondamenti di psicologia generale. Ed Il Mulino.
- Gazzaniga MS, Ivry RB, Mangun GR. Neuroscienze Cognitive. Ed Zanichelli.

For Group Psychology:
- Burke, S. M., Carron, A. V. and Shapcott, K. M. (2008). Cohesion in exercise groups: An overview. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1, 107-123.
- Carron, A. V., Colman, M. M., Wheeler, J., and Stevens, D. (2002). Cohesion and Performance in Sport: A meta analysis. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 24, 168-188.
- Speltini, G., e Palmonari, A. (2007). I gruppi sociali. Ed Il Mulino.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

The exam consists of one written test* with 40 closed questions and multiple choice answers. The test is passed if at least 24 questions are answered correctly. The written test is intended to ensure knowledge of the topics addressed in the course and covers all the topics discussed during the lessons. The questions will address both the topics of General and Sports Psychology and the topics of Group Psychology. The written test will be expressed in scores of thirty.

*Due to the situation deriving from the Coronavirus emergency, the examination methods reported above could eventually change, according to the indications from the University.