56128 - Psychology of Adolescence

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student - knows the main theoretical and methodological orientations of Adolescence Psychology; - is able to distinguish between the concepts of personal identity and social identity; - is able to master concepts such as: developmental tasks, identity crisis, coping, emerging adulthood - knows the main changes in adolescence (physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional) and their rebounds on identity construction; - knows the importance of social context (family, peers, school, social institutions, culture) in adolescental development;- is able to master the concepts of ecological context and psychosocial transition; - knows the difference between normal and non normal processes of development; - knows in detail the main theories about the deviance in adolescence and the phenomenon of substance addiction; - knows the issues related to the migration process in adolescence; - is able to run educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention on social distress; - is able to critically evaluate educational projects in the field of prevention and intervention on social distress in adolescence; - knows the main tools for information retrieval within its area of intervention; - can carry out bibliographical researches in his/her field of study; - is able to conduct group activities; - is able to conduct individual interviews; - is able to draw up reports of research and reports on his/her activities; - is able to make autoupdating activities; - is able to carry out self-assessment and self-monitor activities periodically and in a critical way.

Course contents

Module 1 (Giannino Melotti):

The program concerns these topics:

1. The adolescence in classical and recent theories;
2. The main changes in adolescence and their rebounds on the identity construction;
3. The social contexts and their influence .on adolescent's development (family, peers, school, institutions);
4. The juvenile deviance and drug addiction;
5. Violent behaviour in adolescence;
6. Adolescence between light and shade: autonomy and dependency, bullying, online adolescence, risk taking and possible interventions.

Module 2 (Greta Mazzetti):

The program covers the following topics:

1. Adolescents and the transition to work

2. The role of soft skills

3. Challenges related to job insecurity for adolescents

4. Group guidance

5. Stages of group guidance

6. Role of the group facilitator

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1 (Prof. Melotti):

Obligatory book:

Palmonari, A. (a cura di) (2011). Psicologia dell'adolescenza. Bologna: Il Mulino (Cap. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 e 12)

Chapters in book:

Melotti, G., Brighi, A. (2012), Comportamenti violenti e illegali in adolescenza nella Provincia di Rimini: differenze di genere. In R. Ghigi (a cura di), Adolescenti e differenze di genere. Pratiche e atteggiamenti dei giovani in Emilia-Romagna, pp. 189-203, Carocci, Roma.

Articles:

Melotti, G., Ghigi, R. (2011), Reati e comportamenti violenti in adolescenza nella realtà turistica della Provincia di Rimini: analisi delle sentenze del Tribunale dei Minori di Bologna, Turismo e Psicologia Rivista Interdisciplinare di Studi, Ricerche e Formazione, 1. (http://turismoepsicologia.padovauniversitypress.it/system/files/papers/2011_1_26.pdf)

Any other materials will be uploaded on virtuale.unibo.it

 

Module 2 (Prof.ssa Mazzetti):

The program requires the study of the following chapters:

1. Speltini, G. (a cura di) (2016). L'età giovanile. Disagio e risorse psicosociali. Bologna: Il Mulino (CAPITOLO 5. Giovani e lavoro)
2. Guglielmi, D. & Chiesa, R. (2021). Orientamento scolastico e professionale. Bologna: Il Mulino (CAPITOLO V. L’orientamento di gruppo)

Additionally, slides and materials uploaded on the Virtuale platform are equally essential for preparing for the final exam.

Teaching methods

Module 1 (Prof. Melotti):

 The course is organised on the basis of:

• lectures supported by PowerPoint slides;
• brief discussions about the proposed themes;
• supporting material taken from different disciplinary fields (literature, cinema, essay writing).

Module 2 (Prof.ssa Mazzetti):

The course is organized with the following methods:

• Interactive lectures
• Discussions
• Case study analysis
• Group exercises

Guidelines and Rules for Effective Learning:

1. Attendance is recommended.
2. Students are encouraged to actively participate in the course and study progressively; they are responsible for keeping up to date with any announcements made in class or on the professor’s website (including changes to the syllabus and scheduled activities).
3. Students are expected to consistently demonstrate respectful and appropriate behavior. This includes avoiding illegal actions that may result in disciplinary measures (such as copying texts from peers or the internet, falsifying data, etc.), as well as adhering to social norms (e.g., it is deemed inappropriate to use phones during class).

Assessment methods

 

 

The examination consists of a single written test valid for modules 1 and 2, but with separate assessments from which the final mark will be obtained by calculating the weighted average of the two marks.


The examination for the two modules must always be taken at the same time (same roll call): the examination is a single examination (8cfu).


Please note that in the event of a partial pass in the examination (e.g. Module 1 sufficient and Module 2 insufficient), it will not be possible to keep the mark obtained in the Module that was sufficient for the following appeal.


The examination will be held in person (in the classroom).


How to register for the examination


In order to sit the exam, it will be necessary to register in Alma Esami https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm . Please note that for written exams registration closes one week before the date of the exam.





The examination will be written and will consist of four open questions (three on the module 1 syllabus and one on the module 2 syllabus). The examination will last 2 hours.

The evaluation of the answers will be based on the following criteria: 1) relevance of the answers; 2) completeness of the answers; 3) clarity in content presentation and accuracy in the use of terminology.

Teaching tools

Module 1 (Prof. Melotti):

Slides, video, paper and pencil material

 

Module 2 (Prof.ssa Mazzetti):

The main tools used during the course will be:

• Group exercises
• PowerPoint presentations
• Interactive teaching platforms (e.g., Wooclap, Mentimeter)
• Paper materials provided by the professor

Office hours

See the website of Giannino Melotti

See the website of Greta Mazzetti