Psychology

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. By the end of the course, students know the brain processes underlying maturation, plasticity and aging and the associated changes in cognitive and emotional functions across the life span. The course is designed to provide advanced knowledge of the neural basis and functional mechanisms of human behavior, affective and cognitive processes and their alteration in patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders, drawing on both theoretical and methodological contributions of current literature, and integrating different methodological approaches, with practical examples in the areas of brain health, well-being and social neuroscience. The course involves 2 modules, which include: Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience (physiological measures, brain stimulation, functional imaging and neuropsychological approach); Brain maturation; Processing emotional and social information: Theories of emotions, perceptions of emotions, fear conditioning and empathy; Healthy aging: changes in behavioral and neuroanatomical substrates.

This course provides a contemporary overview of theoretical frameworks and research in the area of social cognition, which refers to the cognitive processes that enable individuals to function within a social group. The course considers how we perceive and understand others, how the presence of others changes our cognitive processing, and how our cognitive processes are optimized for group living. Topics include agency, imitation, communication, mentalizing, the relationship between self and other, social influence on cognitive processes, and joint action. Throughout, the course touches on the developmental and evolutionary origins of our core social cognitive capacities, how human social cognition compares to that of other animals, and what neural processes support these capacities.

This lecture introduces and analyzes the different aspects categorized under social psychology. Some topics include social cognition, aggression versus prosocial behavior, group dynamics, and how attitudes develop and vary. Additionally, students will learn how to analyze different studies and theories and apply them to themselves and other real life scenarios.

This course provides a broad overview of the many topics in psychology: evolutionary, developmental, personality, cognitive, and social psychology. By the end of this course, students are expected to: (1) Understand psychological concepts, theories, and research methods and (2) Understand the relationship between psychological findings and everyday life.

This course examines the main theoretical approaches to human memory and information representation in the human cognitive system. It provides an analysis of memory using an understanding of psychological processes while taking into account the biological, evolutionary and cultural context. Other topics covered include memory systems and structures, and memory processes.

This seminar focuses on interpersonal attraction and close relationships. These topics, introduced in the Social Psychology lecture, are examined in more depth in this seminar and enhanced by discussions based on the students’ perspectives and experiences.

This course provides an introduction to genetic studies on behavior, emotions, and cognition - a psychological discipline known as "behavior genetics." The course covers basic concepts in quantitative and molecular genetic sciences, and how these can be applied to study animal behavior, human traits and disorders, and socioeconomic outcomes. This includes studies of genetic and environmental contributions and how statistical models of complex traits are analyzed with computer software. The course covers development of research skills for practical implementation of quantitative genetic statistical methods applicable throughout the life sciences.

This course examines contemporary issues in developmental theory and research from the prenatal period to adulthood. Topics will include theories of development, biological, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and moral development, as well as attachment,
the development of the self, the family, and peer relationships.

This course seeks to understand psychological knowledge and ways of thinking related to educational settings. It instructs on basic theories and phenomena in developmental psychology, learning psychology, cognitive psychology, clinical psychology, etc., in relation to issues facing school education.

This course explores the experience of violence involving children and adolescents. It discusses the protection of the rights of children and adolescents, the development of psychopathology and psychological problems in the child and adolescent population, and the impact of violence on psychosocial well-being, as well as the factors that affect the appearance and evolution of mental health problems. It conceptually characterizes the phenomenon of children and adolescents who grow up in homes where there is domestic violence between their caregivers and the co-occurrence of other forms of violence against children and adolescents, such as sexual assault.