The normal development and functioning of human sexuality, in its physiological and psychological aspects. Diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders.
Obligatory and fundamental texts:
- Dèttore, D. (2001). Trattato di psicologia e psicopatologia del comportamento sessuale. Firenze, Giunti-OS.
- Course slides uploaded on e-learning platform.
In addition to the obligatory text, ONE volume freely chosen among the following ones:
- Buss, D.M. (1995). L’evoluzione del desiderio. Comportamenti sessuali e strategie di coppia. Roma-Bari, Laterza.
- Dèttore, D. (2005). Il disturbo dell’identità di genere. Milano, McGraw-Hill.
- Dèttore, D., Antonelli, P., & Ristori, J. (a cura di) (2014). Il bullismo omofobico a scuola. Strategie di analisi e intervento basate sugli stereotipi e i ruoli di genere. Roma: Alpes Italia srl.
- Dèttore, D., Ristori, J., & Antonelli, P. (2015). La disforia di genere in età evolutiva. Implicazioni cliniche, sociali ed etiche. Roma: Alpes Italia srl.
- Dèttore. D., & Parretta, A. (2013). Crescere nelle famiglie omosessuali. Un approccio psicologico. Roma: Carocci.
- Dèttore, D. e Fuligni, C. (2008). L'abuso sessuale sui minori (II ed.). Milano, McGraw-Hill.
- Fenelli, A. e Lorenzini, R. (1999). Clinica delle disfunzioni sessuali. Roma, Carocci.
- Fisher, H.E. (2005). Perché amiamo?. Milano, Corbaccio.
- Fossi, G. e Mascari, P. (2013). L'immaginario. Fantasie e sessualità (III edizione ampliata). Milano, Angeli Editore.
- Kaplan, H. (1998). Nuove Terapie Sessuali. Milano, Bompiani.
- Lambiase, E. (2009). La dipendenza sessuale (II ed.). Roma, LAS.
- Miller, G. (2002). Uomini, donne e code di pavone. Torino: Einaudi.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding
To be able to differentiate psychological aspects from socio-cultural and physiological ones in relation to human sexuality. To be able to identify the main developmental steps in the development of sexuality. To be able to differentiate sexual disorders according to DSM-IV-TR classification but also in relation to new nosological categories (DSM-5); to be able to implement a correct assessment of sexual disorders in relation to aetiopathogenetic and maintenance factors; to possess fundamental concepts about treatment possibilities of sexual disorders.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The course will convey the following competences and knowledges also by clinical exemplifications when deemed necessary:
- what is meant by the term sexology, also in relation to social and cultural context;
- fundamentals of sexual development, in its behavioural, cognitive and emotional manifestations;
- the variability of sexual behaviours in different cultures;
- the definition of gender and sexual identity, gender roles and sexual orientation;
- the clinical manifestations of sexual disorders according to the categorization of present diagnostic systems;
- the multiple causes of sexual psychopathology, that is behavioral, cognitive, interpersonal, psychodynamic, sociocultural, genetic and biological/neurophysiological aspects of psychopathology;
- the sexual psychopathology assessment procedures;
- essentials of sex therapy.
Making judgements
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
- understand the essentials of normal psychosexual development;
- recognize the signs and symptoms of sexual disorders, paraphilias and gender identity disorders;
- understand and use the DSM nosological system for the classification and diagnosis of sexual disorders;
- consider the complex factors that contribute to psychological and behavioral function and dysfunction, including biological, developmental, psychodynamic and sociocultural issues, in relation to sexual behavior;
- recognize effective procedures for the sexological assessment;
- understand the core principles of sexological intervention;
Communication skills
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
- express a functional and accepting attitude towards persons with sexual disorders, useful to facilitate a good therapeutic relationship;
- express and communicate in a correct and functional way diagnosis and clinical perspectives to colleagues and patients;
- express and communicate in a correct and functional way concepts and researches in a scientific publication.
Learning skills
The course must make the students able to integrate the newly acquired knowledge with those already in their possession and with those produced by other courses, with the aim of creating useful links and connections.
Prerequisites
- Knowledge of descriptive psychopathology.
- Knowledge of base psychophysiology.
Teaching Methods
Knowledge and understanding
Lectures.
Applying knowledge and understanding
During the course, exercises and exemplifications will be offered about real or simulated clinical cases, so as to show how to implement the acquired theoretical knowledge.
Making judgements
During the course, a critical approach will be used in relation to analysed theories and concepts, so as to accustom students to an attitude of constant and rational discussion of concepts and theories that has been proposed in the clinical and scientific filed.
Communication skills
During the course, a language will be used able to communicate the main technical terms of the discipline, but also aimed to give examples of useful communication skills that have to be differentiated in relation to colleagues and patients.
Learning skills
Lectures.
In the complex, lectures 80% and practical lesson (20%).
Further information
During the course some simulations will be held relative to sexological interview and assessment.
Type of Assessment
Knowledge and understanding
Oral examination: this kind of examination was chosen since it is considered more able to evaluate relevant aspects of student learning, as under specified.
Applying knowledge and understanding
During the course, exercises will be held on real and simulated clinical cases, so that students will have the opportunities of showing their progressive learning. During the oral examination, there will be questions about clinical cases in which the student will be able to apply learned knowledge.
Making judgements
During the examination, critical judgements will be requested about the concept exposed in the studied texts. Critical discussion of clinical cases during the examination.
Communication skills
During examination, the technical correctness of used language and also the conceptual clearness in the description of concept and theories will be evaluated.
Learning skills
During examination, the evaluation will take in account the ability to draw connections and links between concepts and theories not only within the specific course, but also between the course and concepts and theories pertinent to other preceding courses attended by students.
Course program
A profile of history of sexology; the development of sexuality across life cycle; nosographic classification of sexual disorders according DSM-5: disorders of desire, disorders of sexual arousal, disorders of orgasm, disorders of resolution phase, disorders of sexual pain; lines of intervention: the sexual therapy; paraphilias; gender dysphoria.