DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY
Stampa
Enrollment year
2022/2023
Academic year
2023/2024
Regulations
DM270
Academic discipline
M-PSI/04 (PSYCHOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOLOGY OF EDUCATION)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF BRAIN AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Course
PSYCHOLOGY, NEUROSCIENCE AND HUMAN SCIENCES
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Year of study
Period
1st semester (02/10/2023 - 20/12/2023)
ECTS
6
Lesson hours
36 lesson hours
Language
English
Activity type
WRITTEN AND ORAL TEST
Teacher
PROVENZI LIVIO (titolare) - 6 ECTS
Prerequisites
Adequate knowledge of basic general and developmental psychology.
Learning outcomes
The course aims to provide students with (1) principles in developmental psychobiology, integrating notions and processes that pertains to infant research, psychoneuroendocrinology, applied behavioral genetics and epigenetics, and (2) insights into the implications of these concepts and processes for clinical practice and interventions.
Course contents
The course is organized in 12 lessons (3 hours each) grouped into 4 sections:

Section 1 – Principles
• Lesson 1 – Messiness and order (introducing Infant research)
• Lesson 2 – Born to be wired (introducing dynamic systems view on development)
• Lesson 3 – Principles of psychoneuroendocrinology

Section 2 – Systems
• Lesson 4 – Autonomic nervous system and polyvagal theory
• Lesson 5 – The HPA axis and cortisol response to stress
• Lesson 6 – Behavioral genetics
• Lesson 7 – Beyond the genome: behavioral epigenetics)

Section 3 – Observatories
• Lesson 8 – The preterm baby as a psychobiological model
• Lesson 9 – Anatomy and endocrinology of parental love
• Lesson 10 – Developmental psychobiology in psychiatric contexts

Section 4 – Implications
• Lessons 11 and 12 – Applications to research and clinical practice in developmental psychobiology
Teaching methods
This course will adopt a variety of learning methods, by blending traditional lectures with experiential learning activities and incorporating group discussions, case-based analyses, and practical exercises. The course aims to provide a stimulating and inclusive learning environment that encourages active student participation and promotes a deep understanding of the topics.
Reccomended or required readings
Scientific papers and volumes will be provided and suggested to students during the lessons. All the material will be made available on the e-learning page of the course.
Assessment methods
The evaluation will be made through an oral exam; questions will cover topics reported in the slides, discussed during the lectures, and described in the materials and volume(s) suggested.
Further information
The professor is available to meet students by appointment. Interested students can write to livio.provenzi@unipv.it setting "DEVPB appointment" as the subject of the e-mail.
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030