B027262 - PSYCHOLOGY OF ATTENTION (for elective activities only)

Italian

What is attention-Varieties of attention. Research methods and techniques. Selective attention. Task combination and divided attention. Automatic processing and attentional control. Executive functions. Sustained attention. Attention and consciousness. Attention and performance. Attention and learning. Attention and memory. Attention and emotions. Attention and motivation. Attention and mind wandering. Boredom.

Lecture notes of the course (available in Moodle)
-Research articles on attentional processes (available in Moodle).
- Dell’Acqua, R., & Turatto, M. (2008). Attenzione e percezione: i processi cognitivi tra psicologia e neuroscienze. Roma: Carocci. (chapters 2 and 3).

-Knowledge and understanding: To provide knowledge about the processes and mechanisms of attention (theories, experimental paradigms, methods and techniques) and their neural bases and alterations in neuropsychological patients. To provide knowledge and comprehension of the relations between attention and consciousness, attention and learning and memory, attention and emotions, and attention and motivations. To provide knowledge about the most recent findings on mind-wandering and boredom, showing the theoretical and applied relevance of the research in this field
-Applying knowledge and understanding; making judgments: To provide the core competencies needed to read and understand a research paper and to critically analyze the scientific literature in the field
-Communication skills: To develop the ability to make a scientific communication (oral and written)

None.

The lecturer will utilize PowerPoint presentations and videos during classes. There will be interactive discussions, practical demonstrations in class time and the possibility to take part to experiments. Students will participate in class discussion and present (oral presentation) research papers to the class.

Knowledge and understanding: written (multiple choice questions and open-ended questions) and oral final examination.

-Applying knowledge and understanding: mid-term examinations in which students will be requested to discuss and present some research studies to the class. Students will be actively engaged in research studies on psychology of attention (e.g. data collection, data analysis and interpretation).

-Making judgments: In the final examination students will be asked to discuss some research studies on attention.

-Communication skills: During the term and in the final examination students will be requested to present (oral and written communication) researches on attention.

Final examination will be rated.

Part I:

Attention as a multidimensional contruct. History of research. Neurocognitive approach. Methods and techniques. Selective attention (visual and spatia): theories, experimental paradigms, neural bases, neuropsychological deficits. Divided attention. Automatic and controlled processes. Executive functions: theories, experimental paradigms, neural bases, neuropsychological deficits.
Sustained attention and vigilance: theories, experimental paradigms, neural bases, neuropsychological deficits. Human Error (Reason). Attention and consciousness (change blindness, attentional blindness, attentional link). Attention and aging.


Part II:

Attention and Learning. Attention and Memory. Attention and emotions. Attention and motivation. Attention and mind wandering. Boredom.