COGNITIVE EMPOWERMENT

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

PB03A

Academic Year of enrolment:

2022

Year of supply:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in PSYCHOLOGY OF WELL-BEING AND PERFORMANCE

Disciplinary Sector:

General Psychology

Is part of:

COGNITIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

PALUMBO ROCCO

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

152

Objectives

The course is designed to provide advanced knowledge on Psychology of well-being and performance. It will provide students with the tools for knowledge and understanding of the main theories on performance, as well as on the main explanatory theories in the field of general psychology, the historical dimension that connects them, the points of contact and differences. It also provides students with the tools for knowledge and understanding of the main research methods in general psychology, the relationships between research methods and techniques in general psychology, and the importance of the correct use of observation and assessment tools in general psychology.
The student must be able to demonstrate applied knowledge on cognitive and emotional assessment tools. In addition, the student must be able to collect and analyse data on cognitive and emotional functions and behavioural aspects through objective measures (tests, response time, motor activity, eye movements, skin conductance, heart rate, etc.) and subjective measures (anamnestic interview, etc.). Finally, he/she must have specialist knowledge of the tools used to detect physiological, behavioural and cognitive-emotional indices, proxy of health and well-being.

Contents

The identification of effective cognitive empowerment programs is now a worldwide health policy priority, especially for their preventive effect in cognitive decline. In this course the focus will be on the use advanced technologies as effective tools for cognitive empowerment. Specifically, the attention will be devoted on how advanced technologies may be used to support individuals in reaching engaging and self-actualizing experiences. This course offers a comprehensive overview of theoretical approaches, empirical findings, and methodological reasearch approaches of cognitive empowerment in different cognitive domains (memory, executive functions, etc.), types of training (working memory training, video game training, physical training, etc.), age groups (from children to young and older adults), target populations (children with developmental disorders, aging workers, MCI patients etc.), settings (laboratory-based studies, applied studies in clinical and educational settings), and methodological approaches (behavioral studies, neuroscientific studies).

Extended Syllabus

Theories, Methods, and Designs
Theoretical Models of Training and Transfer Effects
Plasticity in Different Age Groups
Plasticity of Different Cognitive Domains
Working Memory
Episodic Memory
Prospective Memory
Executive Functions
Multidomain Trainings
Action Video-Game Training and Its Effects on Perception and Attentional Control
Video Game Training and Effects on Executive Functions
Mindfulness and Meditation Training
Cognitive empowerment in Applied Contexts
Individual Differences and Motivational
Changes of Electrical Brain Activity After Cognitive Training
Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment
The Future of Cognitive Training

Recommended Bibliography

Strobach, T., & Karbach, J. (2016). Cognitive training: An overview of features and applications, (pp. 211). Springer International Publishing AG.

Teaching Methods

Previous knowledge on basic theories in psychology.
Lectures 48 hours. 2-3 hours twice a week. Hands-on seminars. Work groups and discussions will be strongly encouraged. Attendance is not compulsory, but highly recommended.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The exam aims at verifying the acquisition of the knowledge on the topics presented during the course.
The final exam is in written form. Students will be asked to prepare an individual essay on specific topics. This work will be evaluated on criteria such as the deeply understanding of the contents of the course, the ability to make connections among them and the originality of the work.
Students will be also asked to prepare a group presentation on a specific topic during the course. This work will be evaluated, and it will contribute to the final mark.
For the individual essay, students will receive max 20 points.
For the group presentation, students will receive 10 points.

Scoring is graduated as follow:

0-4 (0-2 for the presentation) markedly inadequate, evident misunderstanding, lack of critical comprehension, or content off-topic

5-8 (3-4 for the presentation) not fully adequate; imprecisions, surface exam and description of the contents, lack of critical comprehension

9-12 (5-6 for the presentation) sufficiently clear and understandable to the audience; there are elements that denote critical deepening of the contents, albeit not fully evident

13-16 (7-8 for the presentation) very clear, lexicon is specific to the topic, evidence is clearly understood and described, and critical comprehension is evident; some of these aspects, however, is present but not fully achieved

17-20 (9-10 for the presentation) fully meet the requirements as it concerns clarity, lexicon specificity, understanding and explanation of evidence; critical exam of limits and implications of the study goes beyond information explicitly reported in the article.

Contacts/More Information

It is recommended to visit the e-learning page of the module regularly. The e-learning page will be used to upload lecture’s slides, additional readings and exam samples.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree

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