Clinical and Developmental Psychology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide fundamental knowledge in psychology, from the birth of scientific psychology to the most recent developments in the study of cognitive processes; to offer a basic understanding of the functioning of the human mind.
The course will provide knowledge in the main theories of child development, of the main stages in the development of the different psychological functions that characterize an individual.
The course will also provide the basis for understanding the role of the family in the main moments of transition in the life cycle, disability and illness
The course will provide knowledge in the main theories of child development, of the main stages in the development of the different psychological functions that characterize an individual.
The course will also provide the basis for understanding the role of the family in the main moments of transition in the life cycle, disability and illness
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
· discuss the fundamentals of cognitive, affective, perceptive-motor, socio-cultural development of the individual;
· discuss the main mechanisms of motivation;
· describe the usefulness of a cultural model for medical practice;
· describe the fundamental differences between Disease Centred Medicine and Patient Centred Medicine;
· discuss the concept of the patient's agenda;
· discuss the basic functions of communication in the professional-patient consultation;
· discuss the main aspects of the cognitive and behavioral approach;
· discuss the role of the family and caregivers.
· discuss the fundamentals of cognitive, affective, perceptive-motor, socio-cultural development of the individual;
· discuss the main mechanisms of motivation;
· describe the usefulness of a cultural model for medical practice;
· describe the fundamental differences between Disease Centred Medicine and Patient Centred Medicine;
· discuss the concept of the patient's agenda;
· discuss the basic functions of communication in the professional-patient consultation;
· discuss the main aspects of the cognitive and behavioral approach;
· discuss the role of the family and caregivers.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Prerequisites for admission
Be enrolled in the 1st year program
Assessment methods and Criteria
M-PSI/04 - Psicologia dello sviluppo e psicologia dell'educazione (2 CFU) - dott.ssa Borgnis
Written exam with multiple-choice and open questions
PSI/08 - Psicologia clinica (4 CFU) - dott.ssa Saibene
Written exam with multiple-choice and open questions
Written exam with multiple-choice and open questions
PSI/08 - Psicologia clinica (4 CFU) - dott.ssa Saibene
Written exam with multiple-choice and open questions
Developmental and educational psychology
Course syllabus
- introduction to Developmental Psychology
- Physical, Brain, Sensory-Perceptual, and Motor Development
- Behavioral Development
- Cognitive Development
- Communication and Language Development
- Emotional Development and Attachment
- Social and Moral Development
- Adolescence and Young Adulthood
- Family and Contemporary Society: Developmental and Educational Contexts Across the Lifespan
- Atypical Developmental Trajectories and Emerging Research Perspectives
- Physical, Brain, Sensory-Perceptual, and Motor Development
- Behavioral Development
- Cognitive Development
- Communication and Language Development
- Emotional Development and Attachment
- Social and Moral Development
- Adolescence and Young Adulthood
- Family and Contemporary Society: Developmental and Educational Contexts Across the Lifespan
- Atypical Developmental Trajectories and Emerging Research Perspectives
Teaching methods
Classroom lessons
Teaching Resources
Psicologia dello sviluppo e dell'educazione. Caravita, Milani, Traficante. Il Mulino, 2018.
Slides of the lectures provided by the teacher
Slides of the lectures provided by the teacher
Clinical psychology
Course syllabus
- - Introduction: clinical psychology, methodology and the discipline as a science. The history and models of psychology
- Clinical psychology in the DISEASE and PATIENT-CENTRED models
- The therapeutic relationship and communication within the two models
- Communication IS relationship. Mathematical, semiotic, pragmatic and psychological models
- Communication (verbal, non-verbal and paraverbal). Practical implications in clinical practice.
- Communication styles and clinical contexts
- Psychology and cognitive processes
- Cognitive domains: perception: theories and models. Related disorders
- Brain plasticity and the concepts of 'RESERVE'
- Distribution and commencement of scientific literature review on the topic 'attention & perception in OT'
- Group work on scientific papers on the topic 'attention & perception in OT': paper analysis and presentation
- Attention and related conditions
- Emotions: introduction, peripheral theory, central theory, cognitive-activational theory, psycho-evolutionary theories
- Emotions: assessment of the emotive event, expression of emotions, cultural differences
- Stress and burnout: introduction
- Burnout and compassion fatigue: how to recognise and prevent them
- Mental disorders: introduction to psychopathology; anxiety disorders
- Psychopathology: bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, personality disorders
- Clinical psychology in the DISEASE and PATIENT-CENTRED models
- The therapeutic relationship and communication within the two models
- Communication IS relationship. Mathematical, semiotic, pragmatic and psychological models
- Communication (verbal, non-verbal and paraverbal). Practical implications in clinical practice.
- Communication styles and clinical contexts
- Psychology and cognitive processes
- Cognitive domains: perception: theories and models. Related disorders
- Brain plasticity and the concepts of 'RESERVE'
- Distribution and commencement of scientific literature review on the topic 'attention & perception in OT'
- Group work on scientific papers on the topic 'attention & perception in OT': paper analysis and presentation
- Attention and related conditions
- Emotions: introduction, peripheral theory, central theory, cognitive-activational theory, psycho-evolutionary theories
- Emotions: assessment of the emotive event, expression of emotions, cultural differences
- Stress and burnout: introduction
- Burnout and compassion fatigue: how to recognise and prevent them
- Mental disorders: introduction to psychopathology; anxiety disorders
- Psychopathology: bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, personality disorders
Teaching methods
Classroom lessons
Teaching Resources
'Manuale di Psichiatria e Psicologia Clinica', 5° Ed., Bressi, Invernizzi, Ed. McGraw-Hill
'Psicologia clinica per le professioni sanitarie', Rossi, Ed. il Mulino-Manuali
'La visita medica centrata sul paziente', Moja-Vegni, Raffaello Cortina Editore;
'Dove si nasconde la salute', Gadamer, Raffaello Cortina Editore;
'L'errore di Cartesio', Damasio, Adelphi Edizioni;
'Cosa sognano i pesci rossi', Venturino, Ed. Mondadori, Oscar Bestsellers;
'Dall'altra parte', Bonadonna, Bartoccioni, Sartori, Ed. bestBUR.
Scientific articles will also be featured, providing in-depth analysis of various topics
'Psicologia clinica per le professioni sanitarie', Rossi, Ed. il Mulino-Manuali
'La visita medica centrata sul paziente', Moja-Vegni, Raffaello Cortina Editore;
'Dove si nasconde la salute', Gadamer, Raffaello Cortina Editore;
'L'errore di Cartesio', Damasio, Adelphi Edizioni;
'Cosa sognano i pesci rossi', Venturino, Ed. Mondadori, Oscar Bestsellers;
'Dall'altra parte', Bonadonna, Bartoccioni, Sartori, Ed. bestBUR.
Scientific articles will also be featured, providing in-depth analysis of various topics
Modules or teaching units
Clinical psychology
PSIC-04/B - Clinical Psychology - University credits: 4
Lessons: 40 hours
Developmental and educational psychology
PSIC-02/A - Developmental and Educational Psychology - University credits: 2
Exercises: 15 hours
Lessons: 10 hours
Lessons: 10 hours