Teaching code

4S02430

Teacher

Mirta Fiorio

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PSI/01 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

Period

1° semestre dal Oct 1, 2021 al Jan 21, 2022.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

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.

Program

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.

Teaching methods
Teaching consists of frontal lessons, for a total of 48 hours (6 CFUs). 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.

Textbook
- Mandolesi L. Manuale di psicologia generale dello sport. Ed Il Mulino.

Suggested textbooks
- Gazzaniga MS, Ivry RB, Mangun GR. Neuroscienze Cognitive. Ed Zanichelli.
- The slides of the lectures will be available on the web page for the Course.
- Bibliographic references to scientific papers published in international journals will be provided.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

The exam consists of one written test with 40 closed questions and multiple choice answers. The written test is intended to ensure knowledge and understanding 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 ranking of the written test will be expressed in scores of thirty. Examination will be the same for attending and non-attending students.

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