Psychological Assessment in the Lifespan (Modulo A) – a.a. 2026-2027 – Corso di laurea magistrale in Scienze pedagogiche

Teacher: Prof. Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe

E-mail: mariagrazia.digiuseppe@gmail.com

Module name: Assessment of Psychological Symptoms
CFU: 12
Course code: 804004223
SSD: PSIC-04/B
Master’s Degree: Scienze pedagogiche
Language: Italian

Canale: Unico
Course delivery modalities: in presence/on-line learning
Period: II semestre
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Written exam – Valutazione progetto

Pre-requisites:
Knowledge of Italian language (B2).

Program:
The course program covers theories, assessment methods, and techniques for analyzing and interpreting the results of key psychological constructs, such as: – emotional regulation – relational skills – psychological well-being – sintomi psicologici

Text books:
Lingiardi V. (2024) La personalità e i suoi disturbi. Valutazione clinica e diagnosi al servizio del trattamento. Raffaello Cortina Ed.: Milano Gallucci, M., Leone, L., Berlingeri, M. (2016). Modelli statistici per le scienze sociali. Pearson, Milano.

Bibliography:
Di Giuseppe, M. & Perry, J. C. (2021). The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: Assessing defensive functioning with the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales Q-Sort. Frontiers in Psychology,12:718440. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The aim of the course is to provide theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills for psychological assessment of the life cycle. The specific objectives will be: definition of psychological constructs; assessment measures; survey development; data processing for clinical and research purposes. Particular attention will be paid to: quantitative data analysis; results interpretation; understanding of research findings; and writing a clinical or scientific report. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the methods and techniques of psychological assessment at different stages of the life cycle. Students will acquire adequate knowledge to use psychological assessment tools and to correctly interpret the results of the evaluation. APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will be required to conduct a psychological assessment using validated tools and to correctly interpret the test results in written form and using a scientific style. These skills must be supported by in-depth study of the exam texts and additional materials provided by the instructor. MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students will have to demonstrate the ability to synthesize and critically analyze contents and to be able to create links between assessed constructs and measures applyed. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will have to acquire the ability to comprehensively communicate aquired knowledge r, demonstrating skills in the use of the specialized language of the discipline. LEARNING SKILLS: The course aims to provide the evaluation methods to understand how to adequately assess individual psychological functioning for educational and scientific dissemination purposes.

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The aim of the course is to provide theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills for psychological assessment of the life cycle. The specific objectives will be: definition of psychological constructs; assessment measures; survey development; data processing for clinical and research purposes. Particular attention will be paid to: quantitative data analysis; results interpretation; understanding of research findings; and writing a clinical or scientific report.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the methods and techniques of psychological assessment at different stages of the life cycle. Students will acquire adequate knowledge to use psychological assessment tools and to correctly interpret the results of the evaluation.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will be required to conduct a psychological assessment using validated tools and to correctly interpret the test results in written form and using a scientific style. These skills must be supported by in-depth study of the exam texts and additional materials provided by the instructor.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students will have to demonstrate the ability to synthesize and critically analyze contents and to be able to create links between assessed constructs and measures applyed.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will have to acquire the ability to comprehensively communicate aquired knowledge r, demonstrating skills in the use of the specialized language of the discipline.
LEARNING SKILLS: The course aims to provide the evaluation methods to understand how to adequately assess individual psychological functioning for educational and scientific dissemination purposes.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The final assessment will test knowledge and learning, comprehension, and independent judgment skills through: 1) a project involving a simulated psychological assessment and analysis of the results; 2) a written test requiring a brief clinical report of the test results obtained from a fictitious individual. The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills). The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria: – Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language. – 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language. – 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical. – 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical. – 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language. 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The final assessment will test knowledge and learning, comprehension, and independent judgment skills through: 1) a project involving a simulated psychological assessment and analysis of the results; 2) a written test requiring a brief clinical report of the test results obtained from a fictitious individual.
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills).
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Attendance modalities:
The course involves the use of lectures on the basic constructs of clinical psychology. In addition to the theoretical study, interactive learning techniques based on the analysis of clinical cases will be activated. Participation in lectures is not mandatory but highly recommended. All students will have handouts and supporting didactic material at their disposal, which will be published by the teacher on the teams channel of the course.

Attendance modalities:

The course involves the use of lectures on the basic constructs of clinical psychology. In addition to the theoretical study, interactive learning techniques based on the analysis of clinical cases will be activated.
Participation in lectures is not mandatory but highly recommended. All students will have handouts and supporting didactic material at their disposal, which will be published by the teacher on the teams channel of the course.