SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The course introduces themes of social psychology related to phenomena, such as social influence on the group, interaction within the group and interpersonal relationships. The course therefore contributes to the development of knowledge about the processes of mutual influence between the individual and the collective level as well as the analysis of the contextual and cultural aspects of professional action. The teaching aims specifically to develop knowledge and competences related to communication, seen as the primary factor of change and management of situations of distress, within the social professions.

At the end of the course the students:
know the main phenomena of social influence
know the main areas of communication studies
know the differences between ordinary conversations and special conversations (professional interview)
know the fields of application and the objectives of the interview as a professional tool
understand the potential for change thanks to the management of communication processes in the various professional actions and in particular in the direct relationship with the users
understand linguistic factors (e.g. clarity of exposition), emotional/affective factors (e.g. personal implication) and cognitive/cultural factors (e.g. reference criteria for reading needs) in interviews with users, with colleagues and other professionals
know the influence of non-verbal languages
understand the function of listening and technical restitution in order to build trust and collaboration
understand the function of sharing information, evaluations, objectives, paths, with users and other professional figures,
understand the possibility of critically reflecting on the communicative errors that nay arise in professional relations.
recognize the ethical theme of self-determination in the context of the helping relationship
Know map to distinguish between distress pathology and maladjustment.

basic knowledge of the meaning of the main psychological areas (general, evolutionary, clinical, social ...).

The first part of the course presents a map of perspectives about studying communication. Communication as a constructive social process is explored below. Next, the focus on the different forms of communicative interaction and the identification of some specific elements of the conversation, understood as a communicative practice.
The second part develops the professional interview in the social work, considering the intertwining of content and relationship aspects, to highlight:
- dialogic and cultural factors involved in the construction of processes of trust, taking charge and collaboration with the users.
- conditions and principles necessary in order to implement help process through the professional interview.
- mediation function in situations of open conflict or opposition of professional views
Some lessons will be dedicated to monographic subject. The first consists in the presentation of a reasoned model of mental functioning (thought emotion behavior), preparatory to the understanding of the integration between rational intelligence and emotional intelligence always in place in communicative practices. The second, starting from the first, provides an overview of the world of mental disorder, with particular attention to the communicative and relational implications with regard to people with this diagnosis.

Required books
L. Anolli L. (2010) “Prima lezione di psicologia della comunicazione, Laterza

A book chosen from the two following
E. Borgna E. (2002) “L'arcipelago delle emozioni”, Feltrinelli
D. Coleman (1995) “Emotional Intelligence” Bantam Books (only Part Two, Third, Fourth and Appendices A, B, E)

More than a book chosen from the following
G. Nardone (2015) “la nobile arte della persuasione” Ponte delle Grazie
M Sclavi (2003) “Arte di ascoltare e mondi possibili”, Mondadori
J. Morineau (1998) “L'esprit de la médiation” Erés
E. Borgna (2018) “L'ascolto gentile. Racconti clinici” Einaudi

Others specific books of this list will be recommended during the cours; attending students can choose one of this as a book of choice, in agreement with the teacher

The exam is written and includes open questions on the bibliography books.
The learning test concerns:
Understanding of the elements dealt with in the study books and in the course;
The ability to clearly expose these elements;
The critical processing capacity of the themes studied.

The course is organized in eleven weekly lessons, lasting three hours and fifteen minutes a total of four academic hours (one of the lessons will last five academic hours).
The first part of the course includes lectures on theoretical contents. Specific attention will be given to encourage questions and reflections by the attending students.
The remaining lessons are organized on the topic of the interview in social work, both between colleagues/other professionals and especially with the users. In order to discuss the planned contents, will also be considered typical social work situations, which can be derived from the practical experience of students internships.

Italian

written