History and Philosophy of Psychology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a robust knowledge of the main topics in history and philosophy of psychology, with a focus on more recent developments in the field.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will
- master the basic notions of the experimental psychology from an historical and theoretical point of view
- know the main experimental methods and their potential application
- understand the philosophical implications of the hotly debated topics in experimental psychology, with a focus on the social cognition domain.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able
- to apply the knowledge of the main topics of experimental psychology to the philosophical domain
- to integrate experimental data by relating them to different methods and techniques
- to apply the historical-critical knowledge about experimental psychology to the understanding of processes and mechanisms underlying human cognition, especially in the social domain.
At the end of the course, students will
- master the basic notions of the experimental psychology from an historical and theoretical point of view
- know the main experimental methods and their potential application
- understand the philosophical implications of the hotly debated topics in experimental psychology, with a focus on the social cognition domain.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able
- to apply the knowledge of the main topics of experimental psychology to the philosophical domain
- to integrate experimental data by relating them to different methods and techniques
- to apply the historical-critical knowledge about experimental psychology to the understanding of processes and mechanisms underlying human cognition, especially in the social domain.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Classes will be video-recorded and posted to a link on the Ariel site. To promote interactions with students, some classes will be held on line on Teams or, if it is possible, in presence. Class calendar will be published on the Ariel site as well as on my homepage.
Course syllabus
The main aim of the course is to investigate is how we understand others. In particular, we will focus on processes and mechanisms underlying basic forms of social cognition. The course will be divided in two separate parts:
HOW WE UNDERSTAND OTHERS. THE ROOTS OF SOCIAL COGNITION
A. An Introduction to History of Psychology: Theoretical foundations of Psychology. Scientific Methods and Experimental Procedures in Psychology. Relevance of Historical framework, terminological definitions, open issues.
B. Processes and mechanisms underlying social cognition. The mirror mechanism: its properties, functions and role in understanding others' actions and emotions. The interface problem: top-down and bottom-up effects. Open issues.
The course will be primarily held for the students of the Philosophy degree course. It is also open to students coming from other degree courses. Attending and no-attending students will have to follow the same program.
HOW WE UNDERSTAND OTHERS. THE ROOTS OF SOCIAL COGNITION
A. An Introduction to History of Psychology: Theoretical foundations of Psychology. Scientific Methods and Experimental Procedures in Psychology. Relevance of Historical framework, terminological definitions, open issues.
B. Processes and mechanisms underlying social cognition. The mirror mechanism: its properties, functions and role in understanding others' actions and emotions. The interface problem: top-down and bottom-up effects. Open issues.
The course will be primarily held for the students of the Philosophy degree course. It is also open to students coming from other degree courses. Attending and no-attending students will have to follow the same program.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are required.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
A) P. Legrenzi (a cura di), Storia della psicologia. il Mulino, Bologna 2019.
C. Rivoltella, Neurodidattica. Insegnare al cervello che apprende. Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2011.
B) G. Rizzolatti, C. Sinigaglia Specchi nel cervello. Come comprendiamo gli altri dall'interno. Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2019.
C. Rivoltella, Neurodidattica. Insegnare al cervello che apprende. Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2011.
B) G. Rizzolatti, C. Sinigaglia Specchi nel cervello. Come comprendiamo gli altri dall'interno. Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2019.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will consist in an oral discussion. The evaluation will include the following points:
(A) the knowledge of the main topics of the course;
(B) the capability to integrate conceptual analysis and experimental methodologies as well as to master the relevant literature;
(C) independent judgment with respect to philosophical and scientific issues
(D) the ability to provide sounded arguments in oral communications.
(A) the knowledge of the main topics of the course;
(B) the capability to integrate conceptual analysis and experimental methodologies as well as to master the relevant literature;
(C) independent judgment with respect to philosophical and scientific issues
(D) the ability to provide sounded arguments in oral communications.
M-PSI/01 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Sinigaglia Corrado
Professor(s)
Reception:
I am available for appointments any day. For urgent matters, I can be reached on Skype [siniga_corrado]