GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

The course aims to provide a basic understanding of the main themes of general psychology and the psychological processes underpinning human behaviour; specifically: a) the origins and historical development of psychology; b) the variety of research methods in psychology; c) the biological basis of behaviour; d) cognitive, emotional, motivational and personality functioning.

Knowledge and Understanding. A critical understanding of current theoretical, experimental and applied developments in general psychology, including advances in neuroscience.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding. Acquisition of practical and methodological skills. Students will be able to apply the main concepts and models of general psychology to the analysis of cognitive, emotional and behavioural phenomena, using the conceptual tools of the discipline to interpret psychological processes and to link different thematic areas of psychology.

Making Judgements. The course fosters the development of critical and functional analytical skills regarding psychological phenomena, encouraging students to evaluate theoretical models and the findings of psychological research in an informed manner.

Communication Skills. The ability to present one’s knowledge clearly and with linguistic precision. The ability to communicate with specialists, using appropriate technical and psychological terminology, whilst also being able to convey psychological concepts to non-specialists in a simple and accurate manner.

Learning Skills. Development of appropriate learning skills that enable students to update their knowledge continuously and independently, and which are useful for the advanced study of the subjects covered by the degree programme. Development of the ability to consult specialist literature and to use appropriate bibliographic and scientific resources in order to better define and develop one's own study and research work.

Course content:

1.    The Science of Psychology (4 hours)

2.    Genes, Environment and Behaviour (5 hours)

3.    The Brain and Behaviour (5 hours)

4.    Sensation and Perception (4 hours)

5.    Attention and Consciousness (4 hours)

6.    Learning: The Role of Experience (5 hours)

7.    Memory (5 hours)

8.    Language (4 hours)

9.    Thought and Reasoning (5 hours)

10.    Intelligence (5 hours)

11.    Motivation (4 hours)

12.    Emotion (5 hours)

13.    Personality (5 hours)

These topics remain UNCHANGED for both attending and non-attending students; they also remain unchanged for those coming from other degree programmes.

The knowledge gained will enable students to understand the main psychological processes that govern human behaviour, cognitive and emotional functioning, and social dynamics, thereby contributing to the promotion of individual and collective well-being and to the development of critical skills in the analysis of human behaviour.

The course content is therefore consistent with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular with Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), relating to the promotion of psychological well-being and mental health; with Goal 4 (Quality Education), through the development of critical skills and scientific knowledge of psychological processes; and with Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), insofar as an understanding of cognitive, emotional and social processes fosters greater awareness of individual differences and processes of social inclusion.

• Psicologia generale. Capire la mente osservando il comportamento - third edition (2023). Authors: Nigel Hilton, Andy Bremner, Michael Vliek, Ed Sutherland, Michael W. Passer, Ronald E. Smith (Italian edition by Giorgio Gronchi, Tessa Marzi e Andrea Peru). Mac Graw Hill.

• Materials provided by the lecturer.

Assessment will be based solely on the final examination, which will assess whether students have acquired the expected knowledge and skills through a 45-minute written test.

The written test will consist of 31 multiple-choice questions (1 mark for each correct answer; 0 marks for each incorrect or omitted answer). 31 correct answers will correspond to a mark of 30 with distinction. The test must be passed with a mark of at least 18 marks.

Should the mark awarded be deemed unsatisfactory, the student must IMMEDIATELY send an email to the lecturer, stating their first name, surname, student ID number and the statement: ‘I DO NOT ACCEPT THE MARK’; they may then take a new written examination in a subsequent sitting.

Acceptance of the mark requires NO notification from the student.

The questions will cover all topics in the course.

The following are just a few examples of multiple-choice questions:

The semantic memory system is part of:

a. declarative memory

b. sensory memory

c. procedural memory

d. working memory

Top-down processing:

a. is based on mental representations

b. is based on the analysis of the parts that make up a stimulus

c. is not based on traces stored in memory

d. is guided by sensory data