Learning objectives
Thrre main objectives:
1. Provide theoretical knowledge of the main issues and topics of social cognitive neruosciences during the development period.
2. Provide tools for the evaluation of the critical elements characterizing neural mechanisms necessary for the expression of psychological preoccesses and behaviors during the first three years of infant development.
3. To provide students with tools for designing experiments and test hypotheses.
Prerequisites
Basic Knowledge of Neuroscience, Biology and Psychology
Course unit content
These are the main topics of the course:
-Brain development
-Gene, environment and epigenetics during the first stages of development
-Action-perception mechanisms during the prenatal and postnatal period
-The role of experience and plasticity of the mirror neuron system
Full programme
-Brain development
-The role of experience in the constructioin of the nervous system
-Genetics and epigenetics. Biological Constraints and reprogramming. Theoretical models
-Methods for investigating the brain during development
-Mirror neurons and development
-The role of sensorimotor experience
-Intersubjectivity and mirror neurons
-Dysfunctions of the mirror neuron system during development
Bibliography
Giacomo Rizzolatti e Corrado Sinigaglia. So quel che fai. Raffaello Cortina Editore
Teaching methods
In addition to lectures, each student will read one scientific article that will be discussed in the class through a powerpoint presentation
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam will consist in an oral discussions of the topics covered during the course.
Other information
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