Psychology Applied to Social Relations, Communication and Group Dynamics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
- Know, select and apply the theoretical models developed for the analysis of interpersonal relationships within dyadic and group social interactions in the professional context;
- Know, select and apply the main models related to social perception and social communication;
- Knowing how to evaluate some determining elements in the interpersonal relationship, such as attribution of cause, prejudice and stereotypy, training and modification of attitudes, conformism;
- Know and identify the processes that support or determine events, phenomena and behaviours of the individual or group, assessing their characteristics and their impact in a bio-cultural perspective, or in relation to the system or social structure in which they occur (family, group, ethnicity, organization, community);
- Know and evaluate the structural characteristics of communication (verbal and non-verbal elements, information exchange models) and its contents, specifically examining the communicative peculiarities within a multi-professional team, between operators and coordination figures, between teams operational and administrative and decision-making bodies, inside and outside the structure;
- Develop a capacity for analysis and solution of professional and relational problems in the cross-cultural perspective, starting from the knowledge of the problems of the multi-ethnic society
- Knowing how to evaluate interventions and problems in the health sector using the holistic bio-psycho-social model as a reference;
- Develop analytical skills and solutions to problems related to stress and burnout in the professional team.
- Know, select and apply the main models related to social perception and social communication;
- Knowing how to evaluate some determining elements in the interpersonal relationship, such as attribution of cause, prejudice and stereotypy, training and modification of attitudes, conformism;
- Know and identify the processes that support or determine events, phenomena and behaviours of the individual or group, assessing their characteristics and their impact in a bio-cultural perspective, or in relation to the system or social structure in which they occur (family, group, ethnicity, organization, community);
- Know and evaluate the structural characteristics of communication (verbal and non-verbal elements, information exchange models) and its contents, specifically examining the communicative peculiarities within a multi-professional team, between operators and coordination figures, between teams operational and administrative and decision-making bodies, inside and outside the structure;
- Develop a capacity for analysis and solution of professional and relational problems in the cross-cultural perspective, starting from the knowledge of the problems of the multi-ethnic society
- Knowing how to evaluate interventions and problems in the health sector using the holistic bio-psycho-social model as a reference;
- Develop analytical skills and solutions to problems related to stress and burnout in the professional team.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will have acquired the knowledge to:
- Apply socio-anthropological theories to the observation and interpretation of health realities;
- Knowing how to manage the communication between health worker and patient, considering the differences of gender and culture;
- Knowing how to manage dyadic and group social interactions in the professional context;
- Knowing how to manage professional and relational issues in a cross-cultural perspective, starting from the knowledge of the problems of the multi-ethnic society;
- Knowing how to direct the coordination of structure towards effective management through greater mastery of the main methods of intervention for the development of people, groups, organizations (psychosocial training, coaching and counseling);
- raise awareness of a systemic reading that takes into account the individual, relational and organizational variables involved in defining the contexts in which people act: individual differences, skills, motivation;
- knowing how to apply the knowledge of psychology applied to the world of work to enhance the abilities and potential of individuals and groups in work and organizational environments;
- to be able to interpret organizational contexts and master the main models and techniques of psychological-social analysis connected with the climate, culture and satisfaction of groups and organizations, with a particular focus on managing the risk of work-related stress and subjective risk prevention In a working environment;
- Apply socio-anthropological theories to the observation and interpretation of health realities;
- Knowing how to manage the communication between health worker and patient, considering the differences of gender and culture;
- Knowing how to manage dyadic and group social interactions in the professional context;
- Knowing how to manage professional and relational issues in a cross-cultural perspective, starting from the knowledge of the problems of the multi-ethnic society;
- Knowing how to direct the coordination of structure towards effective management through greater mastery of the main methods of intervention for the development of people, groups, organizations (psychosocial training, coaching and counseling);
- raise awareness of a systemic reading that takes into account the individual, relational and organizational variables involved in defining the contexts in which people act: individual differences, skills, motivation;
- knowing how to apply the knowledge of psychology applied to the world of work to enhance the abilities and potential of individuals and groups in work and organizational environments;
- to be able to interpret organizational contexts and master the main models and techniques of psychological-social analysis connected with the climate, culture and satisfaction of groups and organizations, with a particular focus on managing the risk of work-related stress and subjective risk prevention In a working environment;
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
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge required
Assessment methods and Criteria
The overall assessment of learning outcomes is carried out through a written exam, scheduled in specific exam sessions in accordance with the University Regulations. No intermediate tests or early exams will be held, and teaching materials or notes are not allowed during the exam. The final results of the individual modules are published on the professor's MyARIEL page, and the exam grade is registered through the University's online procedure by the Chair of the Examination Board. There is a single exam for the integrated course; all the modules that make up the course contribute equally to the final grade, which is expressed in thirtieths. The exam format for each module is described below:
Psycology and Health
The exam consists of a written test with 6 open-ended questions; students are invited to provide in a few lines short answers, strictly pertinent to the question. Students can express themselves in their own words; what will be valued in the final evaluation will be the correctness and close pertinence of the answer content to the specific question.
Sociology
The exam consists of a written test with 2 open-ended questions and 10 multiple-choice questions. These include 4 possible answers, of which only 1 answer is correct. The final grade is expressed by adding the result of the first part (i.e. 5 points for each correct answer) with the result of the second part (i.e. 2 points for each correct answer). The time available to complete the test is 30 minutes.
Psicologia del lavoro
The exam consists of a written test with 3 open-ended questions. The questions require the student to explain the answer to the question in a few lines. Each student can express themselves with their own words, and having correctly expressed a concept with respect to the question will be valued for the final evaluation.
Demo-ethno-anthropological disciplines
The exam consists of a written test with 2 short open-ended questions (for each the maximum mark is 3 points) and 12 multiple-choice questions, each worth 2 points if the answer is correct. For the open questions, the assessment is based on the correctness of the answer and the use of the specific language of the discipline. The time available to complete the test is 25 minutes.
Philosophy and theory of language
The assessment consists of three open-ended questions designed to test theoretical knowledge and the ability to provide and/or critically discuss relevant examples. The allotted time is 30 minutes.
Psycology and Health
The exam consists of a written test with 6 open-ended questions; students are invited to provide in a few lines short answers, strictly pertinent to the question. Students can express themselves in their own words; what will be valued in the final evaluation will be the correctness and close pertinence of the answer content to the specific question.
Sociology
The exam consists of a written test with 2 open-ended questions and 10 multiple-choice questions. These include 4 possible answers, of which only 1 answer is correct. The final grade is expressed by adding the result of the first part (i.e. 5 points for each correct answer) with the result of the second part (i.e. 2 points for each correct answer). The time available to complete the test is 30 minutes.
Psicologia del lavoro
The exam consists of a written test with 3 open-ended questions. The questions require the student to explain the answer to the question in a few lines. Each student can express themselves with their own words, and having correctly expressed a concept with respect to the question will be valued for the final evaluation.
Demo-ethno-anthropological disciplines
The exam consists of a written test with 2 short open-ended questions (for each the maximum mark is 3 points) and 12 multiple-choice questions, each worth 2 points if the answer is correct. For the open questions, the assessment is based on the correctness of the answer and the use of the specific language of the discipline. The time available to complete the test is 25 minutes.
Philosophy and theory of language
The assessment consists of three open-ended questions designed to test theoretical knowledge and the ability to provide and/or critically discuss relevant examples. The allotted time is 30 minutes.
Demology, ethnology and anthropology
Course syllabus
- Overview of medical anthropology: culture and cultures; body; knowledge about disease and the body; analysis
frameworks;
- Social and cultural interpretations of health and disease
- Intercultural medicine
- Migration and health systems
frameworks;
- Social and cultural interpretations of health and disease
- Intercultural medicine
- Migration and health systems
Teaching methods
Teaching is delivered through lectures in the classroom or on TEAMS MS live, according to a schedule published on the course website.
Teaching Resources
Ivo Quaranta e Mario Ricca. Sick misplaced. Intercultural Medicine. Milan, Cortina 2012
Scientific papers and documents proposed during classes
Scientific papers and documents proposed during classes
General psychology
Course syllabus
- Psychology and Health; conceptualization of health and mental health
- Facing disease: trauma, distress and coping strategies, personal and social resource mobilization
- Risk perception, prevention and acquisition of healthy behaviors: the HAPA model
- Building relationships in health professions: emotions, non-verbal communication, communication pragmatics
- Facing disease: trauma, distress and coping strategies, personal and social resource mobilization
- Risk perception, prevention and acquisition of healthy behaviors: the HAPA model
- Building relationships in health professions: emotions, non-verbal communication, communication pragmatics
Teaching methods
Face-to-face lectures, small group work and discussions on specific topics and case studies.
Teaching Resources
A. Delle Fave e M. Bassi (2013). Psicologia e salute (2nd edition). Torino: UTET Università (chapter 1 and 2; chapt. 3 par. 3.6, 10.3; chapt. 4 par. 4.2, 4.33)
Papers and documents provided during classes
Papers and documents provided during classes
Work and Organizational Psychology
Course syllabus
- Introduction to work psychology
- Work performance and cognitive abilities
- Personality and organizational behaviors
- Individual and organizational values
- Motivational theories and models
- Managerial strategies for motivating workers
- Job satisfaction, theories and models
- Antecedents, inhibitors, and consequences of job satisfaction
- Work performance and cognitive abilities
- Personality and organizational behaviors
- Individual and organizational values
- Motivational theories and models
- Managerial strategies for motivating workers
- Job satisfaction, theories and models
- Antecedents, inhibitors, and consequences of job satisfaction
Teaching methods
Teaching is provided through face-to-face lessons, team activities and case studies scheduled according to a timetable published on the ARIEL website of the master course.
Teaching Resources
Argentero, R., & Cortese, C. G. (2016). Psicologia del lavoro. Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore.
Capitolo #4 "Le differenze individuali" (pp. 95-116).
Capitolo #6 "La motivazione" (pp. 151-177).
Capitolo #7 "La soddisfazione lavorativa" (pp. 181-204).
Supplementary materials will be provided during lessons.
Capitolo #4 "Le differenze individuali" (pp. 95-116).
Capitolo #6 "La motivazione" (pp. 151-177).
Capitolo #7 "La soddisfazione lavorativa" (pp. 181-204).
Supplementary materials will be provided during lessons.
General sociology
Course syllabus
- Introduction to Sociology.
- Main paradigms of classical sociology.
- Main programs of contemporary sociology.
- Methods and techniques of sociological research.
- The relationship between work, inequalities, social classes and health.
- Marginality and social exclusion.
- The concept of care and solidarity.
- Migrations and the formation of multi-ethnic societies.
- Main paradigms of classical sociology.
- Main programs of contemporary sociology.
- Methods and techniques of sociological research.
- The relationship between work, inequalities, social classes and health.
- Marginality and social exclusion.
- The concept of care and solidarity.
- Migrations and the formation of multi-ethnic societies.
Teaching methods
Teaching is delivered through lectures in the classroom or on TEAMS MS live, according to a schedule published on the course website.
Teaching Resources
For the exam, the reference manual is: "SOCIOLOGIA", M. Ambrosini e L. Sciolla, Mondadori Editore. First part: "Che cos'è la sociologia" (cap. n. 1,2,3,4), second part: "Individuo e società" (cap. n.1) and sixth part: "Territori e società" (cap. n. 4). Other materials and papers useful for the topics discussed during lessons will be indicated on the ARIEL website of this course.
Modules or teaching units
Demology, ethnology and anthropology
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Mutti Valentina Alice
General psychology
M-PSI/01 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Delle Fave Antonella
General sociology
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Work and Organizational Psychology
M-PSI/06 - WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Cangialosi Nicola
Professor(s)