Starting from an ecological approach based on developmental psychopathology, the course focuses on the concepts of resiliency and vulnerability in the development, and it will deepen some significant transitions in the life cycle with particular attention to child maltreatment and to transitions related to aging.
Inguglia C., Lo Coco A. (2017). Resilienza e vulnerabilità psicologica nel corso dello sviluppo. Il Mulino, Bologna.
Giamundo V. (2013). Abuso e maltrattamento all'infanzia. Modelli di intervento e terapia cognitivo-comportamentale. Franco Angeli CAPITOLI: 6-7-8-9-10
De Beni R. Borella E. (2015). Psicologia dell'invecchiamento e della longevità. Il Mulino, Bologna
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding
Knowing the current research on resiliency during the development. Knowing the models that explain causes, consequences, psychological processes and possible interventions regarding one important risk factor in the development: child maltreatment.
Knowing the cognitive, emotional and social changes related to aging and the types of interventions that can be implemented to improve the quality of life of the older persons.
Applied knowledge
Being able to analyse critically risk transitions during development and making decisions reagrding ways and strategies to intervene in specific contexts and cases.
Decision Making
Being able to critically analyse and reason about risk and protective factors, resilience and transitions in the life cycle and discuss appropriate decisions.
Communication
Learn an appropriate language to communicate and discuss the concepts of the course.
Prerequisites
Knowing the fundamentals of developmental psychology, theories, methods and research studies pertaining different aspects of development
Teaching Methods
Lectures, Lectures by experts. Groups activities and pratical exercises
Type of Assessment
Knowledge and understanding:written exam with 6 open questions.
Applied knowledge and understanding: discussion of specific cases and contexts; discussion of findings.
Autonomy of judgment and communication skills:
Case study and proper use of a correct vocabulary.
Oral examination will follow according to students decision.
Course program
Starting from an ecological approach, based on developmental psychopathology, significant transitions will be explored in relation to different phases of the life cycle (childhood, adolescence, and old age) and to different contexts (scholastic, family, and extrafamiliar). The teaching consists of 3 modules. The first module will analyze the theoretical framework and the construct of resilience in developmental psychology. The second module will focus on an application of the construct of resilience, in case of family maltreatment looking at possible interventions related to this context of vulnerability for children's development.
The third module deals with the theme of the psychology of aging and longevity, examining how certain processes and transitions of this phase are related to the well-being and vulnerability of the elderly.