Corso di laurea magistrale in Psicologia clinica

The course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of core theoretical issues and experimental findings in the field of the psychology of action. Methodological issues about action research will be discussed, along with the different techniques that are currently used to investigate the cognitive processes and neural basis of action (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Special attention will be devoted to the relationship between action and perception, as well as between action, volition, and intention.

By the end of the course, the students:
a) know the state-of-art human research that uses psychological and neuroscience techniques to investigate action execution and observation;
b) are able to critically read and evaluate psychological and neuroscientific research and to integrate and compare experimental results obtained by multiple scientific methods;
c) are familiar with a range of paradigms and methods used in action research and can apply their knowledge and understanding to new or unfamiliar problems related to the field of action research.

Written exam with open-ended and multiple-choice questions, and oral exam.

Neurophysiology of action
Movement categories and methods for measuring movements
Action planning and control
Action execution and inhibition
Action-perception links
Cognition , volition, and intention
Imitation
Social action
Actions, objects and concepts

Wolfgang Prinz, Miriam Beisert, Arvid Herwig (2013). Action Science: Foundations of an Emerging Discipline. Cambridge (MA), MIT Press (selected chapters).
Scientific papers and other course materials for this course will be made available at the course website. These readings are mandatory to pass the final exam.