Learning objectives
The course aims to promote theoretical knowledge related to the main study models of social development from infancy to adolescence. The course also proposes to show how this knowledge can be applied to a professional reality through the use of survey instruments and development assessment. Finally, the course aims to foster students’ independent judgment with respect to the theoretical issues studied and improve their ability to communicate about the aspects they have investigated and learned.
Prerequisites
Basic developmental psychology
Course unit content
The first set of introductory lessons will cover aspects related to social development: social competence, primary and secondary socialization, emotional and cognitive socialization.
Then issues such as adult relationships, peer relationships, friendship, social acceptance, and social withdrawal will be taken into consideration.
Finally, the last lessons will cover the topic of development of the Self from infancy to adolescence.
Full programme
The course will provide an overview of social development, starting from infancy to adolescence. In particular, in the first part of the course the construction of social competence will be illustrated. Lessons will be centered on child-adult attachments, sibling relationships, and peer relationships.
In the second part, the construction of the self will be illustrated. Lessons will be centered on the first and second separation/individuation process. In this context, a good portion of lessons will be dedicated to the study of the model of Bruner (90s) on the Self as the narrative, the study of the model of Self-Determination Theory (2000) on the Self as self-determination and the study of the model of Fonagy (‘90) on the Self as a product of mentalizing. Theoretical lessons will be alternated with lectures in which investigative tools of the Self in different perspectives will be presented.
Bibliography
Corsano P. (2007). Socializzazioni. Roma: Carocci
Cigala A., Corsano P. (2011). Ricomincio da tre. Milano: Unicopli (solo parte seconda)
Fonagy P., Gergely G., Jurist E.L., Target M. (2005). Regolazione affettiva, mentalizzazione e sviluppo del Sé. Milano: Cortina (solo Introduzione, capp. 1, 3 e 4)
Corsano P., Musetti A. (2012). Dalla solitudine all’autodeterminazione. Milano: Cortina (solo capp. 1 e 2)
Teaching methods
Lectures and individual study will be proposed in order to facilitate the acquisition of theoretical knowledge. Group work , discussions in the classroom and exercises will be offered to encourage the acquisition of the ability to apply this knowledge in real life, their independent judgment and communication skills.
Assessment methods and criteria
Examinations will be both written and oral. The written examination consists of open-ended questions designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired. The oral examination will assess independent judgment, the ability to communicate and to apply those skills to reality. Every written answer will be given a score of thirty. Students will be admitted to the oral examination if they get at least the minimum score (18/30) in at least half plus one of the number of questions.
Other information
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