The aim of the course is to provide knowledge and skills that allow the student to know how to orient themselves critically between the different theoretical models of general psychology and within the tools useful for detecting significant psychological variables in training and education. The course also aims to promote the development of the student's sensitivity in reading the psychological needs of the other, a relevant ability in helping relationships.
At the end of the course the student:
- has become familiar with the basic concepts of general psychology
- has acquired knowledge on research methods in psychology
- is able to orient critically between the different theoretical models of general psychology
- is able to orientate himself in the knowledge of the tools for the detection of significant psychological variables in training and education
- has developed sensitivity in reading the psychological needs of the other
- has gained knowledge on the affective and cognitive processes relevant in helping relationships
At the end of the course the student:
- has become familiar with the basic concepts of general psychology
- has acquired knowledge on research methods in psychology
- is able to orient critically between the different theoretical models of general psychology
- is able to orientate himself in the knowledge of the tools for the detection of significant psychological variables in training and education
- has developed sensitivity in reading the psychological needs of the other
- has gained knowledge on the affective and cognitive processes relevant in helping relationships
teacher profile teaching materials
The first part of the course will introduce the history of psychology as a scientific subject, the main theoretical approaches, and research methods. The second part will focus on the investigation of cognitive and affective processes from the perspective of experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
Detailed programme:
1) Introduction to psychology and research methods: history of psychology as a scientific subject, main theoretical approaches to the study of psychology, main research methodologies adopted in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
2) Brain and behavior: Introduction to the basics of brain functioning, how this perspective has influenced the study of behavior in psychology.
3) Sensation and perception: main theoretical models, mechanisms involved in sensation and perception, how environmental information is analyzed and organized to create knowledge.
4) Attention: main theoretical models, mechanisms involved in the process of selecting environmental information for further processing.
5) Conditioning and learning: main theoretical models, mechanisms through which learning takes place.
6) Memory: main theoretical models, memory systems, characterization of encoding, storage and retrieval mechanisms.
7) Thinking and reasoning: main theoretical models, mechanisms that allow the processing of information for the purpose of forming concepts, making decisions and problem solving.
8) Language: main theoretical models, functions of language, non-linguistic communication.
9) Intelligence: main theoretical models, factors that determine intelligence, components of intelligence, measures of intelligence.
10) Motivation: main theoretical models, main types of motivation that drive behavior.
11) Emotions: main theoretical models, ways in which the affective system drive behavior.
12) Personality: main theoretical models, definition and description of personality.
WARNING!
The handbook "General Psychology", by Coon & Mitterer (Edition edited by S. Mastandrea and S. Fagioli) should be studied as a whole, ENTIRELY, with some exceptions. In particular, of the following chapters only the paragraphs specified below are to be studied:
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 2, Brain and behavior
Study the following paragraphs ONLY:
ALL paragraph 2.5 with subparagraphs:
2.5.1 The cerebral hemispheres
2.5.2 The hemispheric specialization
2.5.3 The lobes of the cerebral cortex
ONLY subsection 2.6.4 The limbic system
CHAPTER 3, Sensation and reality
Study the following paragraphs ONLY:
3.2 Vision
3.3 Perception of colors
3.4 Dark adaptation
3.5 Hearing
CHAPTER 4: Attention
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 5, Perceiving the World
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraph
5.9 Extrasensory perception and paranormal phenomena
CHAPTER 6, States of Consciousness
The entire chapter is NOT to be studied
CHAPTER 7, Conditioning and Learning
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraph
7.7 Partial Reinforcement: Las Vegas, Skinner's cage for humans?
CHAPTER 8: Memory
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 9, Thought and mental images
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraphs
9.4.4 Inferential cycle
9.6.3 Linear syllogisms
CHAPTER 10: Language and communication
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 11: Intelligence
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 12, Motivation
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraph
12.2.2 Brain mechanisms of hunger
CHAPTER 13: Emotions
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 14: Personality
Study EVERYTHING
The materials presented during lectures or in the Lab will be made available to students on the "formonline" platform, therefore no copy shop is authorized to sell them, and no site - outside the official channels of the University - is authorized to their dissemination.
Programme
The aim of this course is to provide knowledge and promote skills that will allow a student to critically examine the different theoretical models available in the field of experimental psychology, and the tools to identify meaningful psychological variables in the context of education and training. The course also aims to promote the development of a student's sensitivity in recognizing the psychological needs of others, a fundamental ability in any supporting relationship.The first part of the course will introduce the history of psychology as a scientific subject, the main theoretical approaches, and research methods. The second part will focus on the investigation of cognitive and affective processes from the perspective of experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
Detailed programme:
1) Introduction to psychology and research methods: history of psychology as a scientific subject, main theoretical approaches to the study of psychology, main research methodologies adopted in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
2) Brain and behavior: Introduction to the basics of brain functioning, how this perspective has influenced the study of behavior in psychology.
3) Sensation and perception: main theoretical models, mechanisms involved in sensation and perception, how environmental information is analyzed and organized to create knowledge.
4) Attention: main theoretical models, mechanisms involved in the process of selecting environmental information for further processing.
5) Conditioning and learning: main theoretical models, mechanisms through which learning takes place.
6) Memory: main theoretical models, memory systems, characterization of encoding, storage and retrieval mechanisms.
7) Thinking and reasoning: main theoretical models, mechanisms that allow the processing of information for the purpose of forming concepts, making decisions and problem solving.
8) Language: main theoretical models, functions of language, non-linguistic communication.
9) Intelligence: main theoretical models, factors that determine intelligence, components of intelligence, measures of intelligence.
10) Motivation: main theoretical models, main types of motivation that drive behavior.
11) Emotions: main theoretical models, ways in which the affective system drive behavior.
12) Personality: main theoretical models, definition and description of personality.
Core Documentation
1) Coon, D., Mitterer, J.O. (2020 -in corso di stampa- Edizione italiana a cura di Stefano Mastandrea e Sabrina Fagioli). Psicologia generale. UTET, TorinoWARNING!
The handbook "General Psychology", by Coon & Mitterer (Edition edited by S. Mastandrea and S. Fagioli) should be studied as a whole, ENTIRELY, with some exceptions. In particular, of the following chapters only the paragraphs specified below are to be studied:
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 2, Brain and behavior
Study the following paragraphs ONLY:
ALL paragraph 2.5 with subparagraphs:
2.5.1 The cerebral hemispheres
2.5.2 The hemispheric specialization
2.5.3 The lobes of the cerebral cortex
ONLY subsection 2.6.4 The limbic system
CHAPTER 3, Sensation and reality
Study the following paragraphs ONLY:
3.2 Vision
3.3 Perception of colors
3.4 Dark adaptation
3.5 Hearing
CHAPTER 4: Attention
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 5, Perceiving the World
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraph
5.9 Extrasensory perception and paranormal phenomena
CHAPTER 6, States of Consciousness
The entire chapter is NOT to be studied
CHAPTER 7, Conditioning and Learning
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraph
7.7 Partial Reinforcement: Las Vegas, Skinner's cage for humans?
CHAPTER 8: Memory
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 9, Thought and mental images
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraphs
9.4.4 Inferential cycle
9.6.3 Linear syllogisms
CHAPTER 10: Language and communication
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 11: Intelligence
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 12, Motivation
Study EVERYTHING EXCEPT the paragraph
12.2.2 Brain mechanisms of hunger
CHAPTER 13: Emotions
Study EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 14: Personality
Study EVERYTHING
The materials presented during lectures or in the Lab will be made available to students on the "formonline" platform, therefore no copy shop is authorized to sell them, and no site - outside the official channels of the University - is authorized to their dissemination.
Reference Bibliography
-Type of delivery of the course
The course is divided into 36 hours of lecturing. Attendance to classes is optional, although highly recommended. Attending and non-attending students can register on the dedicated page of the Experimental Psychology course within the "Formonline" platform to access the material presented during the lectures (https://formonline.uniroma3.it/course/view.php?id=2330). In the event of an extension of the health emergency from COVID-19, the provisions governing safe teaching activities and student evaluation will be implemented.Attendance
optional frequencyType of evaluation
The exam takes place in written form, on a computer at Piazza Telematica, and will consist of a total of 35 multiple choice questions (4 answer options, of which only one is correct). An oral integration is possible (optional) for those who have passed the written exam with at least 18/30. Since the exam will be carried out electronically, students are invited to check the validity of their credentials to access the "formonline" platform BEFORE the day of the exam, to avoid delays in carrying out the exam itself (and have them available on the day of the exam). Multiple choice questions will be scored with one point for each correct answer. Points will not be deducted for wrong answers. Booking the exam is mandatory, and needs to be made online in the reserved area of the Student Portal by the date set for each session. Online booking is essential for proper recording of the exam. Therefore, students without a valid booking will NOT be admitted to the exam. In the most popular sessions, students will be divided into shifts that will be communicated on the teacher's notice board at the end of the exam booking period. The outcome of the exam will be communicated on the teacher's notice board and sent via e-mail to the institutional e-mail address (name.surname@stud.uniroma3.it) of each student. The date of the optional oral exam will be communicated after the written exam. Students will have the right to refuse the exam mark within one week of communicating the results. Those who accept the mark obtained will not need to do any action, and the mark will be recorded in their career after the one-week period from the publication of the results. Verbalization in a paper booklet is no longer needed. In case of an insufficient results, the exam can be retaken in the same session. In the event of an extension of the health emergency from COVID-19, the provisions governing safe teaching activities and student evaluation will be implemented. SLD students Students with SLD who wish to make use of compensatory tools have to apply for them to the teachers at least 2 days before the exam. Students need to send an email to the teachers to agree on the exam method by putting in CC 1) Prof. Stefano Zucca, coordinator of the Tutoring service for students with SLD (address: tutoraggiodsa@uniroma3.it ), 2) the Contact person of our Department for students with SLD, Prof. Barbara De Angelis, and 3) the deputy contact Prof. Amalia Lavinia Rizzo (email addresses available on personal notice boards). Students must be duly registered with the service before taking the exam. Students with SLD will have 46 minutes of time (i.e., +30%) and the opportunity to consult the concept maps. Any other info: http://portalestudente.uniroma3.it/iscrizioni/dsa/ It is essential that students contact the teachers 2 days before the day of the exam, so that it is possible to set up the computer version of the agreed exam. Indeed, it will NOT be possible to guarantee the use of compensatory strategies for students who do not follow the procedure described above.