The course will focus on the social psychology of groups, on the processes of entry, socialization and exit from groups, on dynamic processes within the group, on leadership, on the forces that affect the continuity/discontinuity of group life, and on conflict in and between groups.
The course will illustrate the origins of community psychology, theoretical models, research and intervention methodology and the typical tools of the discipline.
MANDATORY TEXTS:
Speltini, G., & Palmonari, A. (2007). I gruppi sociali. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Santinello M., Vieno A., & Lenzi M., (2018). Fondamenti di psicologia di comunità. Bologna: Il Mulino.
and ONE of the following four options (one of the following books or two papers):
- Mannarini, T (2016). Senso di comunità. Come e perché i legami contano. Milano: McGrawHill Education.
- Meringolo, P., Chiodini, M., & Nardone, G. (2016). Che le lacrime diventino perle. Milano: Ponte alle Grazie.
- Zuffa, G., & Ronconi, S. (a cura di), (2018). Droghe e autoregolazione. Note per consumatori e operatori. Roma: EDIESSE
- two papers:
Terry, R., & Townley, G. (2019). Exploring the Role of Social Support in Promoting Community Integration: An Integrated Literature Review. American journal of community psychology, 64(3-4), 509-527. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12336
Shaw, J., & Lee, H. (2019). Race and the criminal justice system response to sexual assault: a systematic review. American journal of community psychology, 64(1-2), 256-278. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12334
Suggested papers are available online free of charge using a computer/laptop identifiable as coming from the University of Florence (e.g., by setting up University proxies or in University libraries).
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding
• Know and understand the study of groups in social psychology, the processes of entry, socialization and exit from groups, dynamic processes within groups, the main theories of leadership, the forces that affect the continuity or discontinuity of life of the group and the relationships between groups.
• Know and understand the origins and objectives of community psychology, the theoretical aspects underlying the discipline, the methods of research and intervention in community psychology and the main tools of the community psychologist.
Applying knowledge and understanding
• Knowing how to apply theoretical knowledge, methods and tools to describe and analyze group processes, inter-group relations and community contexts.
Making judgements
• Develop analytical and critical thinking skills in students in relation to the learned contents of group psychology and community psychology.
Communication skills
• Learn the main terms that characterize the group psychology and community psychology and know how to communicate and argue, through an appropriate language, the studied concepts.
Learning skills
• Develop autonomous learning skills in students to achieve further levels of learning based on the elements learned during the course and the notions already acquired in other disciplines.
Prerequisites
No.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and lessons in collaboration with experts in the social and community areas where interactive methods will be privileged. Group activities, with compulsory attendance, characterized by small tasks performed independently by students and by a presentation in the classroom. Participation in group activities is optional and does not affect admission to the exam.
Further information
Examinations are graded according to a scale ranging from 0 to 30, with 18 as pass mark.
Type of Assessment
Written and oral examination.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION:
For attending and non-attending students
The written exam, based on open-ended questions, evaluates the achievement of the knowledge objectives and the ability to understand from a theoretical and applied point of view. The goal is to verify how much students have made their own judgment on the topics covered during the course, how much they are able to communicate and how much they have acquired a base of significant knowledge that allow them to develop subsequent learning.
ORAL EXAMINATION:
For attending students
During the oral examination the content of the written test will be discussed with the student.
The work done during the group activities, with mandatory attendance, will be evaluated during the oral examination.
For non-attending students
During the oral examination the content of the written test will be discussed with the student. Optionally, an in-depth examination of the reference texts can be carried out, which will be evaluated similarly to group activities.
Course program
Group psychology.
The course offers a reflection on the study of groups in social psychology, presenting some definitions of the concept of group. The functioning of the groups will be examined, focusing attention on the processes of entry, socialization and exit from the groups. The dynamic processes within the groups will be illustrated and particular attention will be devoted to status, role, norms, and structures and communications networks. The theme of leadership will be examined in depth and the forces that affect the continuity or discontinuity of the group's life will be analyzed. Conflict in and between groups, social identity and intergroup relations will also be addressed.
Community psychology.
The course will illustrate the origins of community psychology and the main theoretical models and principles of the discipline with particular reference to ecological metaphor, sense of community, prevention and promotion of well-being (especially of those groups in a state of marginality), empowerment and resilience. The methods of research in community psychology will be presented with an in-depth study of the methodology of participatory action research (community development, community profiles, social recognition, photovoice). Some discipline tools will be introduced such as training, mentoring, peer-education, self-mutual help, parent training and networking.
During the course, issues related to the dynamics of stereotype, prejudice, discrimination and gender-based violence will also be addressed.