DYNAMIC PSYCHOLOGY

At the end of the course, the student must have acquired basic knowledge of psychodynamic models and their application in clinical and research. Specifically, at the end of the course, the student:

- will acquire the main concepts of dynamic psychology;

- will know the evolution of dynamic psychology from Freud to current relational orientations;

- will know the application areas of psychodynamic theories.

Recommended, not mandatory.

The course will focus on the following topics:

- the Freudian perspective: drives, conflicts, and defenses;

- theories and world views in dynamic psychology;

- the unconscious;

- emotions and affections;

- intimacy and sexuality;

- motivational systems;

- internal objects and internal working models;

- organizing function: from the Ego to the Self;

- defense mechanisms and adaptation strategies in mediation with reality;

- psychopathology: from internal fantasies to the memory of relationships;

- the setting;

- the transference;

- from interpretation to relational experience in psychotherapy;

- attachment paradigm and clinical intervention;

- dynamic psychology and infant research;

- dynamic psychology and attachment theory;

- research in psychodynamic psychotherapy;

- dynamic psychology and neuroscience;

- psychoanalytic character diagnosis;

- developmental levels of personality organization;

- primary and secondary defensive processes;

- types of character organization.

1. Amadei, G., Cavanna, D., & Zavattini, G. C. (2015). Psicologia dinamica. Bologna: il Mulino.

2. McWilliams, N. (2012). La diagnosi psicoanalitica (seconda edizione). Astrolabio, Roma.

Oral exam. The following indicators will be considered:

Knowledge and ability to understand

Know and rework the basic concepts of dynamic psychology and understand their application in the clinical setting.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Apply theoretical knowledge and methodological skills to clinical contexts, with particular reference to the concepts of dynamic psychology.

Autonomy of judgment

To mature the ability to work autonomously, with a critical and conscious approach, showing that it knows how to make operational decisions in relation to the needs and problems encountered in various situations.

Communication skills

Hold communication skills for the description and synthesis of the course content through an appropriate psychological lexicon.

Learning ability

Increase learning skills through individual study and autonomous understanding of theoretical and clinical texts. Acquire the ability to apply knowledge to solve proposed concrete situations.

The questions will refer to the contents of the program.

Below are some examples of exam questions:

1)  What characterizes Freud’s theory of neuroses?

2)  What is the principle of psychic determinism?

3)  What is an internal object?

4)  What is meant by object-Self?

5)  What are defense mechanisms?

6)  What is a setting?

7)  What is meant by transference?

8)  Which aspects characterize the development model from the perspective of Infant research?

9)  What is meant by non-specific factors in psychotherapy?

10)  What is therapeutic process research?

11)  What aspects characterize psychoanalytic diagnosis?

12)  What is meant by primary defensive processes?

13)  What are the evolutionary levels of personality organization?

14)  What is a depressive personality?