PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE-MOD2 - 180019-EN2

insegnamento

ID:

180019-EN2

Dettaglio:

SSD: PSICOBIOLOGIA E PSICOLOGIA FISIOLOGICA Durata: 24 CFU: 4

Sede:

BERGAMO

Url:

Dettaglio Insegnamento:

PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE: FOUNDATIONS, METHODS, APPLICATIONS - 180-R-EN/PERCORSO COMUNE Anno: 2

Anno:

2026

Course Catalogue:

https://unibg.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/af/2026?co...

Periodo di attività

Primo Semestre (21/09/2026 - 18/12/2026)

Obiettivi Formativi

The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the main theoretical and empirical questions underlying research in psychology and neuroscience, with particular attention to cognitive and social neuroscience. Through a shared module with Psychology students, students will be introduced to the study of typical brain functioning and the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive and social processes, as well as to the neural alterations associated with neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.

The course will also develop students’ ability to critically evaluate scientific evidence, understand the methodological foundations of psychological and neuroscientific research, and reflect on the epistemological assumptions underlying different approaches to the study of mind, brain, and behaviour. Students will acquire tools to analyse scientific literature, understand how empirical knowledge is generated and interpreted in psychology and neuroscience, and discuss current debates at the intersection between philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience.

Prerequisiti

The course is open to students with diverse academic backgrounds. A basic knowledge of psychology and cognitive neuroscience is recommended to facilitate a deeper understanding of the course content.

Metodi didattici

Teaching will combine traditional lectures with interactive learning activities, supported by multimedia resources, including videos and online materials. The course will include individual and group activities, such as scientific article discussions, group presentations, and literature-based research projects, aimed at fostering students’ critical thinking, scientific communication skills, and ability to apply theoretical knowledge to current research topics.

Verifica Apprendimento

Students’ evaluation will be based on a final written examination consisting of open-ended questions. The exam is designed to assess both the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the ability to integrate and connect different aspects of social cognitive neuroscience. The open-ended questions will be evaluated based on the accuracy and completeness of the answers, the ability to develop coherent arguments, and the capacity to critically discuss and analyse the topics covered in the course. The lecturer reserves the right to request an additional oral examination, even after the completion of the written test, whenever deemed necessary to verify the effective acquisition of the knowledge and skills specified in the course learning objectives and to ensure the appropriate assignment of the final grade.

Contenuti

The course will explore the core principles, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches of social cognitive neuroscience, providing an overview of how the brain supports complex social behaviours and cognitive processes. The course will cover foundational principles and research methods in social cognitive neuroscience, as well as the neural mechanisms underlying emotion, motivation, and affective processes. It will examine the brain mechanisms involved in face and body perception and their role in social interaction, as well as the neuroscience of empathy and theory of mind. Additional topics will include the neural bases of social relationships and the impact of social isolation on brain and behaviour, as well as the neural mechanisms underlying prejudice and intergroup processes. These topics will be addressed in Module 1 of the course.

Module 2 will mainly consist of interactive activities aimed at further exploring relevant and emerging topics in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. These activities will involve the discussion of scientific articles, research findings, and current issues in the field, fostering students’ critical thinking and ability to engage with contemporary scientific literature.

Risorse Online

Altre informazioni

The reference textbook for the course is the one indicated in Leganto. Any edition of the textbook from the second edition onwards is acceptable. The course programme will be complemented by lecture slides and additional scientific articles, which will be made available on the course Moodle eLearning page. Students are required to register on the course Moodle page in order to access all available teaching materials and receive updates regarding any additional resources.