Fundamentals of General and Group Psychology – B a.y. 2026-2027 – Scienze dell'Educazione e della Formazione (EDU)

Teacher: Prof. Marco Innamorati
E-mail: innamorati@lettere.uniroma2.it

CFU: 6
Course code:
Bachelor Degrees: Scienze dell’Educazione e della formazione
Language: Italian

Course delivery modalities: in-presence
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination

Pre-requisites:
No prerequisites.

Program:
Course in General Psychology and an in-depth study of Group Psychology. The course will provide an overview of the main areas of general psychology, covering the historical development of the discipline, epistemological issues, and the main fields of application, including perception, attention, learning, memory, thought, emotions and motivation. It will also offer a study of group psychodynamics, drawing on the work of key figures (Freud, Mayo, Lewin, Bion) to explain the main characteristics of group psychology (types of groups, group phenomena) and the main types of training groups and therapeutic groups.

Program:

Course in General Psychology and an in-depth study of Group Psychology.
The course will provide an overview of the main areas of general psychology, covering the historical development of the discipline, epistemological issues, and the main fields of application, including perception, attention, learning, memory, thought, emotions and motivation. It will also offer a study of group psychodynamics, drawing on the work of key figures (Freud, Mayo, Lewin, Bion) to explain the main characteristics of group psychology (types of groups, group phenomena) and the main types of training groups and therapeutic groups.

Text books:
P. Legrenzi, A. Jacomuzzi, Fondamenti di psicologia generale, Il Mulino. M. Innamorati, Psicodinamica dei gruppi.

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:Understanding the key principles of General and Group Psychology. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: During the course, students will learn the fundamentals of general psychology, covering its main topics (perception, memory, learning, thinking, etc.), as well as the key themes of group psychology (types of groups, group phenomena, leadership, etc.), whilst becoming familiar with the specific terminology and conceptual tools characteristic of these disciplines. APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The consolidation of the fundamental principles of the method of psychology and of psychological concepts, verified both in classes and in examinations, will be useful for the student to profitably pursue his or her course of study and then spend his or her skills both in research and teaching and in other professional fields. MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The student will be asked, both in classes and in examinations, to develop his or her ability to critically evaluate the topics discussed and the texts analyzed. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: In the course of lectures, students will be called upon to actively participate, with the aim of strengthening his or her ability to expound informations, argue his or her positions and exchange views with the lecturer and colleagues; these communication skills will be part of the final assessment in the examination. LEARNING SKILLS: The teaching module will provide the tools for understanding the topics covered and the critical study of textbooks.

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:Understanding the key principles of General and Group Psychology.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: During the course, students will learn the fundamentals of general psychology, covering its main topics (perception, memory, learning, thinking, etc.), as well as the key themes of group psychology (types of groups, group phenomena, leadership, etc.), whilst becoming familiar with the specific terminology and conceptual tools characteristic of these disciplines.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The consolidation of the fundamental principles of the method of psychology and of psychological concepts, verified both in classes and in examinations, will be useful for the student to profitably pursue his or her course of study and then spend his or her skills both in research and teaching and in other professional fields.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
The student will be asked, both in classes and in examinations, to develop his or her ability to critically evaluate the topics discussed and the texts analyzed.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
In the course of lectures, students will be called upon to actively participate, with the aim of strengthening his or her ability to expound informations, argue his or her positions and exchange views with the lecturer and colleagues; these communication skills will be part of the final assessment in the examination.
LEARNING SKILLS:
The teaching module will provide the tools for understanding the topics covered and the critical study of textbooks.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5. communication skills). The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking. The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria: – Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language. – 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language. – 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical. – 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical. – 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language. – 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5. communication skills).
The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
– 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Attendance modalities:
Lectures with PowerPoint presentations; collective work on reading and commenting sources; class discussion on specific readings and themes. Attendance, which is optional, is strongly recommended.