This subject aims at providing the epistemological and methodological bases of general psychology. Students will acquire the theoretical knowledge, will learn the main cognitive models and a series of practical skills for the assessment and the exploration of the main cognitive functions (for example, memory, attention and executive functions) and of the main basic processes (e.g. perception and emotions) in the field of psychology.

The program is divided into three parts and topics.

Part 1: Foundations of epistemology and methodology

1) from the psychology of common sense to scientific psychology (Lesson 1-2)

2) research methods in psychology (Lesson 3)

3) the problem of measurement in psychology (Lesson 4, Lesson 5)

Part 2: From sensation to self-awareness

1) sensation and perception (Lesson 6, 7)

2) attention and executive functions (Lesson 8, 9)

3) learning processes (Lesson 10)

4) memory systems (Lesson 11, 12)

5) consciousness and awareness (Lesson 13)

Part 3: from emotions to intelligence

1) emotions and empathy (Lesson 14)

2) motivation (Lesson 15)

3) cognitive intelligence and emotional intelligence (Lesson 16)

4) the nature-culture dilemma in psychology (Lesson 17)

+ 1 seminar on the physiological studies of emotions and empathy

+ 1 seminar on the distinction between implicit measures and explicit measures

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The student will have to demonstrate to have acquired

- (Knowledge and understanding) the basic distinction between different theoretical approaches in the field of general psychology

- (applying knowledge and understanding) the ability to recognize which cognitive functions and which psychological aspects are involved in specific clinical situations or psychological interventions

- (Making judgments) the ability to use knowledge and concepts to describe the results of the researches and empirical studies exposed during the lectures

- (communication skills) the specific language for the description of basic psychological phenomena

- (learning skills) a good level of autonomy in reading the materials related to scientific researches in the field of general psychology and in the critical understanding of the psychological phenomena that can occur in specific clinical situations and / or intervention of the psychologist

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The seminars had been planned to integrate the theoretical models described during the lectures, with the demonstration of empirical measurement tools

Teaching

Lectures and practical experiences

Attendance

not mandatory

Course books

1)   Psicologia Generale – autori: Anolli e Legrenzi (quinta edizione – il Mulino): Capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

2)   CECCARELLI G. (2018). Psicologia - Fondamenti epistemologici e metodologici. Leardini.

3)   Scientific papers presented during the lectures

* if needed, the erasmus students can ask for a text book in english

Assessment

The exam is divided into 2 sections,

1) Written multiple choice: a written exam to evaluate the general knowledge of the topics. The test consists of 30 questions, each question includes 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of an incorrect answer. The student has 60 minutes to complete this test.

2) Critical description. In this case the student will be given a title and asked to develop a short essay about one of the topics covered during the course by showing to have acquired specific language and critical sense in the description of the phenomenon of interest.

In order to pass the exam it is necessary to take at least 18 in both tests, the final grade will be given by the average of the marks obtained in the two tests.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students will be able to find the additional material on the Blended Learning platform

Attendance

not mandatory

Course books

1)   Psicologia Generale – autori: Anolli e Legrenzi (quinta edizione – il Mulino): Capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

2)   CECCARELLI G. (2018). Psicologia - Fondamenti epistemologici e metodologici. Leardini.

[Elementi di epistemologia e di metodologia della psicologia – autore: Ceccarelli (seconda edizione - QuattroVenti)]

3)   Scientific papers available online

* if needed, the erasmus students can ask for a text book in english

Assessment

The exam is divided into 2 sections,

1) Written multiple choice: a written exam to evaluate the general knowledge of the topics. The test consists of 30 questions, each question includes 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of an incorrect answer. The student has 60 minutes to complete this test.

2) Critical description. In this case the student will be given a title and asked to develop a short essay about one of the topics covered during the course by showing to have acquired specific language and critical sense in the description of the phenomenon of interest.

In order to pass the exam it is necessary to take at least 18 in both tests, the final grade will be given by the average of the marks obtained in the two tests.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

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