PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY A - L

The teaching will be carried out with frontal lessons and classroom exercises.

Historical-scientific introduction to physiological psychology and scientific method

Neurobiology and functional neuroanatomy:

- Neurons and associated cells

- Resting and action potentials: nerve conduction

- Synapses and neurotransmitters

- Functional anatomy of the nervous system

- Notes on mirror neurons

Cell death: apoptosis and necrosis

      Sensory systems

-  Brain plasticity

       Hypothalamus

- Brain circuits of emotions

Psychobiological foundations of higher cognitive functions

Hemispheric specialization and neurobiology of language

Neurobiology of memory

Neuroscience of eating behavior

- Man and food: a symbiotic evolution

The gut-brain axis

- Digestive system

Full reading of the books:

- Marie Curie, Autobiography, Preface by Daniela Monaldi, Castelvecchi.

- Oliver Sacks, Gratitude, Adelphi.

-          Fondamenti anatomo-fisiologici dell'attività psichica. A cura di Angelo Maravita (Autori vari) Poletto Editore

-          Valerio Manippa. Neuroscienze del comportamento alimentare. Edizione A.L.E.

-          Marie Curie, Autobiografia, Prefazione di Daniela Monaldi, Castelvecchi.

-          Oliver Sacks, Gratitudine, Adelphi.

-          Articoli scientifici citati nel programma 

During the oral test it is allowed to use conceptual and/or mental maps created by the student, anatomical-physiological drawings created by the student.

Furthermore, a vote is foreseen, which will account for 20% of the total, for the creation, individually or in groups, of a multimedia/paper work in which the figures of the authors of the compulsory reading texts, Sacks and Currie, are explored in depth, through a critical-scientific analysis of the texts. The originality of the product, the scientific in-depth analysis and the critical analysis of the work will be considered.

For the purposes of the evaluation the teacher will take into account the:

Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the foundations of human physiological psychology, on the anatomical-physiological foundations of the nervous, cognitive, sensorial system and eating behavior.

Applied knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of knowledge of psycho-physiological mechanisms and possible alterations.

Making judgements: Students will have to acquire the ability to present and critically discuss the basic notions of the discipline.

Communication skills: The student must demonstrate the ability to communicate with clarity and mastery the knowledge learned during the course, and their conclusions in relation to the critical issues of the discipline. Furthermore, you will have to demonstrate that you have appropriate terminology.

Ability to learn: The student must demonstrate that he has acquired the technical vocabulary and theoretical-conceptual knowledge addressed during the course, in order to be able to analyze the main discoveries of psychobiology critically and with scientific rigour. They must also demonstrate the ability to understand, analyze and process the contents and knowledge acquired from the study and in-depth analysis of scientific texts and from the consultation of scientific publications in the sector, in order to be able to undertake subsequent in-depth studies independently.

- Describe brain plasticity.

- The neuron: structure and function.

- The main neurotransmitters.

- Difference between electrical and chemical synapses.

- The gut-brain axis