Social and clinical psycology
Module Clinical and psychopathological Psychology
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher:
ALBERTO SARDELLA
Expected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the main psychological and psychopathological issues that may arise in social contexts and professional intervention settings. Students will acquire both theoretical and practical skills in the assessment and analysis of psychological disorders, with a particular focus on the individual, family, and socio-cultural factors that influence people's psychological well-being. They will be able to recognize signs of psychological distress and apply appropriate interventions in emergency or discomfort situations, working in collaboration with other professionals in the field. Additionally, the course is designed to help students develop the ability to understand the psychological dynamics underlying relational and social difficulties, refining their empathetic approach and their capacity to operate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. In summary, the aim of the teaching is to train professionals capable of identifying, understanding, and addressing psychological distress and psychopathological issues in the context of social services, promoting an integrated, person-centered approach.
Course Structure
The course Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology will be delivered primarily through traditional lectures, consisting of structured sessions aimed at providing a systematic presentation of the main theoretical models of clinical psychology and the psychopathological conditions most relevant to intervention in social and health-care settings. Particular attention will be devoted to the understanding of risk and protective factors, clinical assessment processes, and key elements for interpreting service users’ needs within person-centered services. Lectures will be supplemented by discussions of illustrative cases, analysis of clinical materials, and guided classroom discussions in order to foster the development of critical skills and the application of theoretical knowledge to professional practice in social work.
The course is also designed in an English-friendly format: depending on students’ needs, lectures may be delivered in English; teaching materials (slides, scientific articles, and any additional readings) will also be made available in English, and, upon request, students may take the examination in English.
Required Prerequisites
Ability to synthesize information and aptitude for clinical reasoning.
Attendance of Lessons
Highly recommended.
Detailed Course Content
- The historical and contemporary perspective of psychopathology
- The causal factors of disorders and various viewpoints in psychopathology
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Case formulation
- Stress and physical and mental health
- Panic, anxiety, obsessions, and related disorders
- Mood disorders and suicide
- Somatic symptom disorders and dissociative disorders
- Nutritional and eating disorders, and obesity
- Personality disorders
- Substance-related disorders
- Sexual variations, abuses, and dysfunctions
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Disorders developing in childhood and adolescence (Neurodevelopmental disorders)
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The evaluation will consist of an oral examination.
It will be a moment to assess the progress made and engage in an individual exchange with the instructor. Mastery of the subject is required, with an ability to identify the interconnections between different topics and demonstrate the capacity to organize technical knowledge in relation to specific objectives.
The evaluation criteria are based on:
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Knowledge of the main methods and approaches in clinical psychology
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Acquisition of knowledge related to the etiology, assessment, case formulation, and intervention of major psychopathological disorders
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Clarity in presenting the contents of the course
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Competence in using specialized terminology
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- Indicate the characteristic symptoms of depression (affective, cognitive, motivational, behavioral, and physiological symptoms)
- How does a depressed patient evaluate themselves, the world, and the future?
- What are cognitive biases? What are the cognitive biases typical of depression?
- Clinical characteristics of Postpartum Depression
- Indicate the difference between suicide, suicide attempt, and parasuicide
- Provide a definition of anxiety
- What are the differences between physiological and pathological anxiety?
- What are the cognitive and physiological aspects of anxiety?
- How does an anxious patient evaluate themselves and the world?
- What is meant by the "white bear effect"?
- What is the characteristic of social anxiety disorder? What is the patient's main fear?
- How does the vicious cycle develop in a patient with social anxiety?
- What are the cognitive symptoms of panic?
- What is meant by specific phobia?
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): What are obsessions? What are compulsions? What is the purpose of compulsions?
- What types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are identified?
- What are the characteristics of health anxiety disorder?
- What are the main distinctive features of personality disorders compared to other psychopathological disorders?
- How do personality disorders influence the social, emotional, and relational functioning of individuals?
- What are the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder and how does it manifest in daily behavior?
- What are the main differences between Cluster A, B, and C personality disorders according to the DSM-5?
- How does Avoidant Personality Disorder affect interpersonal dynamics and what are the main difficulties faced by people with this disorder in daily life?
- What are the main symptoms and distinctive signs of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, and how are they diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria?
- How do eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, affect the physical and psychological health of individuals and what are the main psychological factors contributing to their onset?
- What are the main differences between acute and chronic psychotic disorders, and how does the therapeutic approach change based on the duration and severity of symptoms?
- How do substance use disorders, such as alcoholism and substance dependence, affect social and family relationships, and what therapeutic strategies are most effective in treating these disorders?
