OVERVIEW

The course provides basic knowledge on the study of cognitive processes, i.e., how humans perceive, learn, remember, make decisions, and solve problems. It introduces the main theoretical models and empirical findings related to perception, attention, memory, language, thinking, and executive functions. Special emphasis is placed on the methods used in cognitive psychology to investigate mental processes and on their development in different applied contexts.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide a conceptual framework of human mind. Exploring experimental paradigms and different theoretical accounts on cognitive processes. Provide a conceptual framework of human mind. Exploring experimental paradigms and different theoretical accounts on cognitive processes. At the end of the course students should be able to: - · have a basic understanding on the current literature on cognitive processes; - · have a critical understanding of empirical approaches implemented in the study of cognitive processes. .

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to:

• Provide foundational knowledge of the main cognitive processes (perception, attention, memory, language, thinking, and executive functions) within the framework of scientific psychology.
• Introduce students to the definition and classification of cognitive processes, relating them to major theoretical perspectives.
• Foster critical understanding of key explanatory models and empirical methodologies used in the study of cognitive processes.
• Support the development of reflective and argumentative skills on the covered topics.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of how cognitive processes function.
• Understand and critically discuss key theoretical models and empirical approaches.
• Contextualize major lines of research in cognitive psychology within their historical and theoretical background.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of some basic accounts and theories of general psychology.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is primarily held in person and includes various active teaching strategies aimed at promoting student engagement and critical thinking. Specifically, the following methods are used:

• Lectures to introduce key theoretical concepts;
• Flipped classroom activities, involving the presentation and in-class discussion of selected scientific articles;
• Use of interactive tools (e.g., Wooclap) to pose questions and foster dialogue during lectures;
• Exercises focused on reasoning and discussion of scientific articles and clinical cases, with the aim of applying theoretical concepts to real or simulated situations.

All materials used during the course, including articles, presentations, and interactive resources, will be available on Aulaweb.

Note: The Bachelor's Degree Program in Psychological Sciences and Techniques requires attendance of at least 65% of classroom hours for in-person lectures.

Students who live away from campus or have work obligations and face documented difficulties in meeting the attendance requirement may carry out compensatory activities to make up for missed in-person lectures. These activities are described in the course slides and may include, for example, reading scientific articles, watching videos, or engaging with other supplementary materials.

Erasmus students are required to contact the instructor to agree upon and adapt the course program.

The course is taught in Italian. Erasmus or international students must contact the instructor at the beginning of the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The detailed syllabus is available on Aulaweb. Below is a non-exhaustive overview of the topics covered during the course:

• Theoretical and methodological foundations of cognitive psychology, including both classical and contemporary models;
• Executive functions and their role in cognitive control and self-regulation;
• Cognitive processes involved in language comprehension and production;
• Characteristics of short-term and long-term memory, and key explanatory models;
• Theories of intelligence and measurement scales (e.g., Wechsler, Leiter, and others);
• Problem solving, reasoning, and decision-making processes;
• Individual and group differences in cognitive functioning, with a focus on sex/gender-related differences;
• Cognitive processes involved in mathematics and geometry learning;
• Cognitive characteristics in neurodevelopmental disorders;
• Cognitive development during emerging adulthood;
• Time perception and its cognitive correlates.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Required readings for students taking the 8- or 9-ECTS version of the course:

a) Course slides, handouts, and recorded lectures (where available), all accessible via Aulaweb.
b) Selected scientific articles available on Aulaweb (considered integral to the course program).
c) Cornoldi, C., Meneghetti, C., Moè, A., & Zamperlin, C. (2018). Cognitive Processes, Motivation, and Learning. Il Mulino. [Complete book]

For students taking the 6-ECTS version of the course (e.g., students from other programs or previous degree systems):

a) Course slides, handouts, and recorded lectures (where available), accessible on Aulaweb.
b) Selected scientific articles available on Aulaweb.
c) Cornoldi, C., Meneghetti, C., Moè, A., & Zamperlin, C. (2018). Cognitive Processes, Motivation, and Learning. Il Mulino. [Chapters 1–12]

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DAVID GIOFRE' (President)

GIULIA CAPPAGLI

CATERINA ARTUSO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester.

Note: To receive updates on possible schedule changes and to access course materials, it is necessary to register for the course on the Aulaweb platform.

Class schedule

PSYCHOLOGY OF COGNITIVE PROCESSES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

To sit for an exam you must enrol to students' portal.

The exam consists of a computer-based multiple-choice test in Italian, covering all course content: required readings, lecture materials (including those available online), and scientific articles uploaded to Aulaweb, which are considered an integral part of the syllabus.

The test is usually held in the computer labs at DISFOR, Corso Andrea Podestà. The specific room will be displayed on screen on the day of the exam.

Erasmus and international students must contact the instructor in advance to arrange any alternative assessment methods.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination is designed to assess the achievement of the intended learning outcomes. Specifically, it aims to evaluate:

• the knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts related to the study of cognitive processes, including definitions and major theoretical frameworks;
• the ability to apply acquired knowledge, by identifying and situating key research lines within different theoretical and applied contexts;

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Registration for the exam is mandatory through the university student portal.

For students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD):
Students with disabilities or SLDs who require exam accommodations must first upload the appropriate documentation via the university website at servizionline.unige.it in the “Studenti” section. The documentation will be reviewed by the University's Support Services for Students with Disabilities and SLDs (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

Subsequently, at least 10 days prior to the scheduled exam date, students must send an email to the instructor responsible for the exam. The email must also be copied (cc) to the School’s Inclusion Contact Person (laura.traverso@unige.it) and to the Support Services using one of the following addresses: disabili@unige.it or dsa@unige.it.

The email must include the following information:

• Course title
• Exam date
• Student’s full name and ID number (matricola)
• Requested accommodations and assistive measures considered necessary