PSICHIATRIA E PSICOLOGIA CLINICA

Module PSICOLOGIA GENERALE

The course aims to deepen the foundations of psychology, with particular emphasis on the theoretical underpinnings of general psychology. A historical approach will also be adopted, illustrating the cultural background, paradigm shifts, and theoretical and practical evidence that led to the emergence of the discipline. 

A historical overview of the main schools, models, and methods applied will be provided, illustrating the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches.

The main research methods will be introduced, as well as the various areas of interest in general psychology. 

The main theoretical constructs will be described in relation to the knowledge of the main cognitive and neuropsychological functions, including language, attention, learning and memory, sensations and perception, as well as the main explanatory theories of emotion and motivation.

At the end of the course, the student is expected to have developed skills in the following areas of interest:

1. Knowledge and understanding.  Students will acquire a solid theoretical foundation on cognitive processes. Specifically, they will be able to identify the main theoretical models of scientific psychology (e.g., behaviorism, cognitivism, etc.); understand the functioning of basic psychological functions such as perception, attention, memory, learning, language, emotions, and motivation; and finally, they will be familiar with the fundamentals of the experimental method applied to psychological research. . 

2. Applying knowledge and understanding.  Students will be able to use the concepts learned to analyze clinical cases or everyday situations by interpreting the cognitive models studied. They will be encouraged to recognize the basic mechanisms that influence human behavior in social or work contexts. 

3.  Making judgements. The course aims to develop critical judgment skills regarding sources and data, specifically by critically evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of various psychological theories based on the empirical evidence provided. Students will be encouraged to distinguish between scientific psychology and pseudoscientific or common-sense interpretations.

4. Communication skills. The student must develop the ability to convey what he or she has learned by correctly using the specific technical vocabulary of the discipline (e.g., terms such as "reinforcement," "working memory," "heuristics"), and by presenting the acquired skills in a clear and structured manner.

.5. Learning skills. The goal is to provide a methodological foundation for future study, enabling students to develop independent study methods applicable to other areas of psychology (clinical, social, and developmental). Students will be expected to be able to locate and critically consult bibliographical sources and scientific databases.