Teaching code

4S007355

Teacher

Mirta Fiorio

Coordinator

Mirta Fiorio

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PSI/02 - PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Period

Sem. 1A dal Sep 23, 2024 al Oct 31, 2024.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

General aims: 1) Knowing and undertanding the psychological theories that explain the fundamental processes related to the functioning and adaptation of the individual to the physical and social environment; 2) Applying the theories related to the functioning of individuals, groups and organizations to the understanding and analysis of learning phenomena and of personal and social change; Specific training objectives: The course aims at providing the theoretical and methodological framework necessary to understand the neurobiological correlates of human behavior and cognitive functions. Through the study of the main techniques and methods to investigate the neuronal activity (EEG, fMRI and TMS) and human behavior, the teaching also aims at providing the tools to evaluate and analyze the functional changes in the individual. At the end of the course, the student should prove the ability to link the main biological and neuronal mechanisms to the functional and adaptation processes of the individual to the physical and social environment.  

Prerequisites and basic notions

There are no specific prerequisites other than those required for access to the degree course

Program

The program will touch the main issues addressed in Psychobiology, such as memory, learning, attention, perception, action, language. All of these cognitive functions will be dealt with a physiological point of view, by describing also the neural bases.
Introduction to Psychobiology:
a) Background
b) the principal methodological tools and techniques
Biological bases of behavior:
a) neurons and synapses
b) neuronal circuits
c) long-term potentiation
The cycle "perception-action"
a) from sensory stimuli to motor outputs
b) movements and actions
c) the neural basis
Attention:
a) endogenous and exogenous attention
b) experimental paradigms
c) the neural basis
Memory:
a) types of memory: short-term and long-term
b) experimental paradigms
c) the neural basis
Language:
a) the main theories on language
b) the neural basis
Learning:
a) theories of conditioning
b) experimental paradigms
c) neural mechanisms
Brain plasticity:
a) virtuous and harmful plasticity
b) functional reorganization
c) inter-hemispheric inhibition
d) neuromodulation
Emotions:
a) central and peripheral theories
b) components of the emotions
c) biological bases
Teaching methods
Teaching consists of frontal lessons, for a total of 36 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.
The slides of the lectures will be available on the Moodle page for the Course.
Bibliographic references to scientific papers published in international journals will be provided.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The lessons will be held in presence. Therefore, no links will be available to follow the lessons in streaming or video recordings. Recovery materials, such as slides and reference articles, will be made available in Moodle to allow absent students to recover individual lessons. The teacher is available during office hours to provide further clarifications and useful information for the study.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam consists for all students in a single written test with 31 closed questions and multiple choice answers. The exam is passed with a score of 18. The written test is aimed at ascertaining the knowledge and understanding of the topics in the program and concerns all the topics covered during the lessons.

Evaluation criteria

The test serves to evaluate the knowledge acquired and the ability to connect the various topics. 1 point will be awarded for each correct answer. The errors and the answers not given are worth 0. The test grade will be expressed in 30ths.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is made up of the sum of the correct answers.

Exam language

Italiano

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