Learning outcomes

General aims: 1. knowing and understanding the psychological theories that can explain the fundamental processes for individuals to function in, and adaptat to, their material and social environments; 2. knowing and understanding the pedagogical theories subsumed to learning processes and techniques for the training and development of individuals and of different working communities, and which take into account also to the processes of social and cultural inclusion; 3. applying pedagogical methodologies and techniques to the analysis of learning processes in vocational training and in the development of communities of practices; 4. choosing among, and applying, teaching methods and strategies that are suitable to response to personal and social needs, in diverse and complex training contexts. 5. Using legal, sociological, ethical and anthropological knowledge to the reading and understanding of diversity and migratory phenomena in order to favor and support processes of social and cultural inclusion. SPECIFIC TRAINING OBJECTIVES Starting from the analysis of the historical path done by Psychology to define itself as an experimental discipline, the most important topics dealing with cognitive processes will be discussed. The first one will deal with methodological and epistemological aspects, in order to understand the relationship between psychology as an experimental discipline and the other humanistic disciplines contributing to the study of human thought. The other topics which will be discussed will be the classical ones dealing with the study of perceptual experience, psychophysics, the theories, models and research about consciousness, attention, memory, thinking, intelligence, learning, motivation, emotions, communication. Such topics as the nature and the treatment of mental desease, the development of personality in the lifetime and the biology of beahaviour will be also touched, as they contribute to the organization of the cognitive architecture of people.

Program

1) The Sensation
The sensory processes
The vision
Hearing
The taste
Smell
The bodily senses

2) The Perception
Brain mechanisms of visual perception
The perception of objects
Perception of Space and Motion

3) Learning and Behaviour
Procedures for the study of the basic processes of learning
Conditions necessary for learning
Results of learning
The cellular mechanisms of reinforcement
The behavior of subjects who have had multiple experiences of learning

4) Memory
Sensory memory
The short-term memory or working memory
Learning and coding in long-term memory
The organization of long-term memory
Remember

5) The Conscience
Consciousness as a social phenomenon
Selective attention
The consciousness and the brain
Hypnosis
Sleep

6) The Language
The comprehension and production of language
The reading
The acquisition of language in children

7) The Social Psychology
The social cognition
Attitudes: their training and their change
Stereotypes and prejudices
Social influences and behaviors of group
The interpersonal attraction and love

8) The Nature and Causes of Mental Disorders
The classification and diagnosis of mental disorders
The anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders and dissociative disorders
Personality disorders
Disorders related substances
Schizophrenia
Mood disorders

Bibliography

Examination Methods

NB:
As a result of the health emergency due to Covid-19, the usual examination modalities might be modified, in accordance with the University indications. Updates will be posted on the course moodle e-learning page.

The exam taken during an official call will consist of a written test with 30 multiple choice questions to be held in half hour (3 alternatives for which only one answer is correct.) For the final judgment expressed in thirtieths, a correct answer has a value equal to 1 points, an incorrect answer has a value equal to 0 points, an answer not given has a value equal to 0 points).