PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2

Knowledge and understanding: Upon completion of the course, students will possess knowledge of physiological psychology that enables them to understand the physiological and psychophysiological aspects of the individual.

Applying knowledge and understanding: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply and understand physiological psychology.

Making judgments: Students will develop the capacity for reflection, enabling them to present and critically discuss the material learned during the course.

Communication skills: Students will be able to present and critically discuss the knowledge acquired during the course using appropriate terminology.

Learning skills: Students will acquire the technical vocabulary and theoretical-conceptual knowledge covered in the course, enabling them to analyze key findings in physiological psychology critically and with scientific rigor. Furthermore, they will be able to independently understand, analyze, and process the content and knowledge acquired through their studies.

Lectures, practical exercises, seminars, and classroom discussions.

Historical introduction to physiological psychology;

Structure and function of the Nervous System (pyramidal and extrapyramidal nervous systems, hypothalamus and thalamus, cerebellum);

Neurons and associated cells;

Notes on mirror neurons;

Resting and action potentials: nerve conduction;

Synapses and neurotransmitters;

Brain plasticity;

Psychophysiology of cognitive domains (memory, attention, emotions, language, and so on);

Sleep and dream;

Second brain;

The traumatized brain: the imprint of trauma;

Psychophysiology of the smile;

Psychophysiology of art;

From the book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks, the cases:

· The Lost Mariner;

· The Disembodied Lady;

· The Man Who Fell Out of Bed;

· Eyes Right!;

· The President’s Speech;

· Yes, Father-Sister;

· The Autist Artist;

Gratitude by Oliver Sacks.

1. Maravita, A., & Bolognini, N. (a cura di). (2025). Fondamenti anatomofisiologici e neuroscienze del comportamento. Poletto Editore. 

2. Coco, M., Buscemi, A., Gurrisi, L., Vitali, F., & Di Corrado, D. (a cura di). (2024). Fair play in “campo”! Approccio psico-fisiologico per un dialogo possibile tra genitore e allenatore. FrancoAngeli.

3. Strata, P. (2017). Dormire, forse sognare. Sonno e sogno nelle neuroscienze. Carocci Editore. 

4. Sacks, O. (2016). Gratitudine (I. C. Blum, trad.). Adelphi. 

5. Sacks, O. (2001). L’uomo che scambiò sua moglie per un cappello (C. Morena, trad.). Adelphi.

The assessment consists in an oral exam. To pass the exam, students will be evaluated on the accuracy and completeness of their answers within a cohesive overview of physiological psychology, as well as on clarity of exposition, command of language, and critical analysis skills.

During the oral exam, students are permitted to use concept maps and/or mind maps they have created themselves.

Students registered with CINAP may contact the instructor via email to arrange any necessary compensatory measures or accommodations, based on learning objectives and specific needs.

- Psychophysiological aspects of brain plasticity;

- The neuron: structure and function;

- The main neurotransmitters;

- Difference between electrical and chemical synapses;

- Psychophysiological aspects of hemispheric specialization and the neurobiology of language;

- Psychophysiological aspects of the neurobiology of memory;

- Psychophysiological aspects of consciousness;

- Psychophysiological aspects of sleep;

- Psychophysiological aspects of attention.