OVERVIEW

Videoclip (in Italian)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to complete the competence on the cognitive processes through the deepening of the theoretical and methodological aspects of the application tools. The necessary empirical foundations and interdisciplinary aspects of these instruments will be considered.
A special emphasis will be placed on applications concerning ind ividuals and organizations, related to the development of cognitive systems and models.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This year's course will have a monographic character and aims to illustrate the most recent multidisciplinary methodologies and techniques used in research and psychological applications.

At the end of lessons students will be able to:

- know the psychological foundations, of a theoretical and methodological nature, on which tools, software and engineering techniques used in research, diagnosis and psychological clinic are based;
- critically evaluate the application use in the psychological field of models, tools and technological platforms;
- to elaborate, through personal analysis of a chosen detection technique, the construct of implicit processes.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of notions of general psychology is opportune and knowledge of the essential concepts about cognitive processes is particularly recommended.

No competence in computer science or mathematics is required for attendance. 

Teaching methods

Lectures in attendance or, if requested by health needs, video lessons. Attendance of the Laboratory of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, also possible on telematic platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Topics related to the following four blocks will be covered, with different degrees of depth in relation to the course of the students who will follow the teaching and their interests

1. Simulation models
The simulation methodology consists in reproducing, through an artificial system, some psychological processes, in order to better understand their functioning.
2. Techniques for detecting implicit processes
"Implicit processes" are unconscious processes that influence our attitudes and behavior. We are not aware of them especially when they concern ideas deemed unacceptable for social reasons (prejudices, stereotypes) or personality aspects (conflicts, phobias). Many techniques have been developed to detect their influence.
3. Personality technology
Current developments in artificial intelligence allow several new applications in the educational and clinical fields.
4. Assistive robotics
In particular, the development of robotic platforms allows their use as assistants for people with disabilities or in old age but poses important psychological problems.

Topics recommended for students of Philosophical Methodologies

Simulation models
Simulation methodology: systems, models. Validation of simulation models. Symbolic and non-symbolic models, dynamic systems. Symbolic and neural network simulations of logical development, language and personality. Agent models.
Techniques for studying implicit processes
Semantic priming. Metacontrast. Continuous flash suppression. Implicit learning. Process dissociation procedure. Implicit association test and its variants. Attention-based techniques (Affective Stroop, Simon, Posner, Misattribution Procedure, Priming, Dot-probe). Embodiment techniques. Other techniques.

Topics recommended for Psychology students
Personality technology
Artificial intelligence, serious games, virtual reality for diagnosis and therapy. Educational and clinical applications.
Assistive robotics
Psychological characteristics of robotic platforms for autism assistance. Assistive robotics for the elderly. Assistive robotics and rehabilitation.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students who follow the course for 6 credits

For attending students lecture notes and slides of the course will be sufficient, for two topics chosen from the four blocks listed above. Slides will be available on “Aulaweb”.

For non-attending students:
Materials (articles and texts) will be agreed with the teacher. 

Bibliography for students who follow the course for 8 or  9 credits

Attending students
For attending students lecture notes and slides of the course will be sufficient. Slides will be available on “Aulaweb”.

Non-attending students
Materials (articles and texts) will be agreed with the teacher. 

Exam Board

ALBERTO GRECO (President)

PAOLA VITERBORI

LUCA ONNIS (Substitute)

STEFANIA MORETTI (Substitute)

DAVID GIOFRE' (Substitute)

Teaching methods

Lectures in attendance or, if requested by health needs, video lessons. Attendance of the Laboratory of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, also possible on telematic platform.

LESSONS START

 Start of class: October 6, 2020

Exam description

For attending students, an oral interview on topics chosen from the topics covered in class is sufficient.

For students who cannot attend, the study of the texts recommended in the bibliography is required.

Assessment methods

The oral interview will be aimed at verifying that the student is able to

- know, understand and deepen the different theories and techniques covered;
- apply acquired knowledge in order to identify interdisciplinary contributions, link the theories studied to applied contexts;
- judge, compare and critically analyze the contents, analyze the methodological foundations, also on the basis of the experience made by participating in an experiment in the Laboratory;
- communicate correctly;
- correctly exploit teaching material (slide, reference texts) for the purpose of a successful learning.

Exam schedule