OVERVIEW

This is the only class on ageing psychology of Master degree course in psychology. For this reason lectures will be focused both on theoretical and practical aspects concerning ageing, diagnostic approach, clinical assessment and intervention programs. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course, after a general overview of the problems associated with aging, aims to illustrate the main diagnostic techniques that can be used to identify cognitive disorders, neurodegenerative, and psychological, such as forms of depression. The possible forms of preventive/rehabilitative/conservative intervention will also be considered, both in the cognitive and in the psychosocial field, with a view to preserving

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lectures the student will be able:

• to know the main psychological schools and place them along the timeline with particular attention to historical, economic and social  context in which were calling themselves
• to possess the basic knowledge of the main areas of interest in the modern scientific psychology
• to recognise the areas of application of psychological theories
• to use the acquired knowledge to make more effective its professional action  in the field of education

PREREQUISITES

To tackle the course you must have the fundamentals of general psychology, the basics of developmental psychology with particular reference to the concept of development during the life span, and elements of psychometrics for the construction, validation and use of psychometric tests.

TEACHING METHODS

Attendance of at least 65% of the lectures. [in the event that it is not possible, for health reasons, to conduct the lessons in person, they will be delivered remotely in streaming mode]

 Use of slides and materials available on the AulaWeb site. Use of tools such as Wooclap and/or H5P for in-class exercises

For students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA). 
Students with disabilities or with DSA are reminded that in order to request adjustments for examinations they must first enter their certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be checked by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and DSA Sector (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111). 
Subsequently, well in advance (at least 10 days) of the exam date, an e-mail must be sent to the teacher with whom the exam is to be taken, with a copy to both the School's Inclusion Services for students with disabilities and with DSA (laura.traverso@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above using one of the following addresses (disabili@unige.it; dsa@unige.it). The e-mail must specify 
- the name of the teaching course 
- the date of the call 
- the student's surname, first name and roll number 
- the compensatory and dispensatory measures considered functional and required. 

The contact person (Prof. Laura Traverso) will confirm to the teacher that the applicant is entitled to request adaptations in the examination and that these adaptations must be agreed upon with the teacher. The lecturer will respond by stating whether the requested adaptations can be used.  
Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the date of the exam in order to allow the lecturer to assess their content. In particular, if concept maps are to be used for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for study), if the submission does not respect the timeframe there will not be the technical time necessary to make any changes, which may be requested by the lecturer. 
For further information on requesting services and adaptations please consult the document: Guidelines for requesting services, compensatory and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

From one side the class will examine ageing processes and their effects on principal psychological functions on the other side it will describe main steps of diagnostic process in ageing psychology as well as the most employed diagnostic test in geropsychology. Attention will be focused to age related changes on cognitive functions as well as to depression and techniques/programs of ageing processes prevention so that people’s self-sufficiency period might be prolonged.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. De Beni R., Borella E. (a cura di), Psicologia dell’invecchiamento e della longevità, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2015
2. Bianchi A. (a cura di), L’esame neuropsicologico dell’adulto. Applicazioni cliniche e forensi, Giunti O.S., Firenze, 2013 [Cap. VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI]
3. Di Nuovo S., Vianello R. (a cura di), Deterioramento cognitivo: forme, diagnosi e intervento. Una prospettiva Life-Span, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2013 [Cap. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12]

Accessory readings

Papers and other books’ chapters could be indicated during the lessons

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GUIDO FRANCO AMORETTI (President)

DAVID GIOFRE'

GIULIA CAPPAGLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will take place in the first semester. The starting date is Thursday 26th September

To be informed about changes in office hours for student, to download teaching materials and to sign up at assessment reserved to persons who have attended the lectures  you must register yourself in  Aula Web

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For those who attend (at least 65% of the lesson hours): written test (multiple-choice test on the computer in AulaWeb environment) at the end of the course which focuses on texts 1 and 2 and on what was said in class and not covered by the texts. Those who pass the test can take a decision test based on the simulation of a diagnostic process. The average of the marks obtained in the two written tests represents the final grade. The "reduced" programme is valid only for end-of-course tests and summer appeals. As of the September appeal, the distinction between frequent and non-attendants is no longer valid.

For those who do not attend: written test (multiple choice test on the computer in AulaWeb environment) that focuses on texts 1, 2 and 3. Those who pass the test can take a decision test based on the simulation of a diagnostic process. The average of the marks obtained in the two written tests represents the final grade.

In both cases, oral supplements are allowed.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Evaluation of knowledge of the main theories on ageing, the process of diagnosis, the mode of administration and the areas of use of some of the more widespread diagnostic tests , and of the possible intervention programs to maintain cognitive and social functions and prolong people self-sufficiency. .

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

It's compulsory to register him/herself for the examination through the student portal. Unless otherwise noted, the exams will take place at the premises of the computer and language, floor 1, body A.

NOTE: It's permitted to take the examination for a maximum of 5 times over the verification of the end of the course. The failure to pass the examination on the fourth and on the fifth attempt involves the recording of the negative outcome and, consequently, the inability to take the exam in a.y. 2024-25. The student who runs into this case may take the exam again in a.y. 2025-26.