2022/2023

2024/2025

DM270

M-PSI/02 (PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF BRAIN AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PERCORSO COMUNE

3°

1st semester (23/09/2024 - 10/01/2025)

9

54 lesson hours

Italian

WRITTEN TEST

GANDOLA MARTINA (titolare) - 9 ECTS

It is mandatory to have successfully passed the exam of Anatomical and Physiological Foundations of Psychic Activity. Understanding the course topics requires students to have basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.

Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an overview of the neurophysiological and neuropsychological bases of human behaviour.

Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able:
- to know the physiological and neurobiological bases of human behavior.
- to know the main behavioural, electrophysiological and imaging methods used in the neuropsychological field.
- to know the main cognitive deficits resulting from brain lesions and dysfunctions.

The course program includes the following topics:

o Cerebral rhythms
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Sleep and dreams
- Cerebral clocks
o Neurophysiological basis of memory
- Short Term Memory (STM)
- Long Term Memory (LTM)
- STM and its disturbances
- LTM and its disturbances: amnesia
o Neuropsychology: introductive concepts
o Behavioural methods in neuropsychology
o Experimental and clinical data evaluation
o Methodological fundaments in neuropsychology
o Behavioural, electrophysiological and imaging methods
o Neuropsychology of attention
o Aphasia’s concept evolution
- Neurological basis of language
- Written language and its disturbances: dyslexia and dysgraphia
o Objects identification and its disturbances: agnosia
o Motor programming disturbances: apraxia
o Spatial cognition and its disturbances:
o Behavioural organization and its disturbances: frontal syndrome.

The contents of the course will be addressed with consideration of ethical-deontological principles, which, depending on the specific topic, will be described in detail by the lecturer, both from a theoretical point of view and with direct connection to practical activity.

The course is conducted through frontal lessons with PowerPoint slides. The slides of the course will be available online on the KIRO platform.
The course aims to provide a stimulating and inclusive learning environment that encourages active student participation and promotes a deep knowledge of the physiological bases of human behaviour.
For each CFU (25 hours) there are:
4 hours of teaching in DE delivery mode, i.e., frontal teaching (PowerPoint slides presentation).
2 hours of interactive teaching - DI (critical discussion in a small group on topics provided by the teacher).
19 hours of self-study on texts from the course bibliography and provided slides.

- Lecture slides
-Bear MF, Connors BW, Paradiso MA.
Neuroscience. Exploring the brain (Masson, Third or Fourth Edition).
ISBN: 9788821440502.
Chapters: 19, 21 (up to page 768), 24 and 25 (pag. 906-914).
-Vallar G, Papagno C. Manuale di Neuropsicologia (Il Mulino, Third Edition).
Chapters: 1,3,4,6,8,9,11,12 (only pages 213-222 ed.2011, 251-265 ed. 2018),13,14,15,16,17.
ISBN: 9788815278708

Additional research articles will be provided and discussed during the course.

The exam consists of a written test. It includes 33 multiple-choice questions. One point is assigned for each correct answer (0 points for an incorrect or missing answer), and the exam is evaluated on a thirty-point scale.
A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the exam. The distinction of 30 cum laude will be reserved for scores above 30. The written exam will last 45 minutes.

There is no differentiation of the program between attending and non-attending students. However, it is strongly recommended to attend lectures.

This course contributes to the realization of the ONU objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Innovative Teaching activities and to promote inclusion, the lecturer guarantees up to 2 hours of reception per week, to be agreed with the lecturer.
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