THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING

Course objectives

General objectives: the course aims to acquire the knowledge indicated in the program and to develop theoretical, methodological, and research skills in the field of emotion psychology, emotional regulation and dysregulation, and health psychology. Specific objectives: 1. make the student capable of connecting the topics covered during the course logically and coherently. 2. develop the ability to analyze the issues covered critically. 3. acquisition of an appropriate language. 4. develop clinical, methodological and research skills in the field of psychology of emotions, health psychology, and health promotion (e.g., evaluation of risk factors and resources, the role of emotions and emotional regulation in the psychological well-being and psychopathological diseases, health promotion interventions, planning of basic research and intervention research, etc.). Knowledge and understanding: of the main theoretical models, constructs and instruments, and methods of the psychology of emotions and health psychology. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: To theoretical constructs, to the individual, group, organizational problems, etc. Judgment autonomy: ability to evaluate theoretical models, clinical and methodological methods critically. Communication skills: ability to use a suitable lexicon, knowing how to communicate in a logical and coherent way Learning ability: knowledge, theoretical models, clinical and methodological instruments and methods, knowing how to connect knowledge critically.

Channel 1
MARIA CASAGRANDE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
General theory: body and brain as an integrated system. Heart–brain axis: heart rate variability, autonomic regulation, and emotions. Breath–brain interaction: neurophysiological correlates of breathing. Gut–brain axis: microbiota and cognitive functions. Relationships between physiological, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions. Physiological systems involved in behavioral addictions. The role of psychological, cognitive, and behavioral variables in behavioral addictions. Assessment of behavioral addictions and definition of addiction risk. Laboratory: design and conduction of experiments (HRV, breathing, cognitive/emotional questionnaires, cognitive performance). Scientific methodology: data analysis, interpretation, and paper structuring. Paper writing: collective discussion and drafting in IMRaD format.
Prerequisites
For a proper understanding of the program, the prerequisites are: 1) A general knowledge of neurophysiology. 2) Basic knowledge of general psychology, with particular reference to: processes and emotional states.
Books
Selected Articles Self Comes to Mind, Damasio Descartes’ Error, Damasio Ornella Corazza, Gianluca Esposito, Psicologia e psicopatologia delle nuove dipendenze Caretti, La Barbera (Curatore) Le dipendenze patologiche. Clinica e psicopatologia; Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2004
Frequency
Attendance is required. Students who have difficulty attending class should contact the teacher to work out a schedule.
Exam mode
The assessment will provide an ongoing evaluation of the activities conducted and an evaluation of a written report of the these activities.
Bibliography
Laboratorio Thayer, J. F., & Lane, R. D. (2009). Claude Bernard and the heart–brain connection: Further elaboration of a model of neurovisceral integration. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 33(2), 81-88. Casagrande, M., Boncompagni, I., Forte, G., Guarino, A., & Favieri, F. (2020). Emotion and overeating behavior: Effects of alexithymia and emotional regulation on overweight and obesity. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 25(5), 1333-1345. Casagrande, M., Forte, G., Favieri, F., Agostini, F., Giovannoli, J., Arcari, L., ... & Cacciotti, L. (2021). The broken heart: the role of life events in takotsubo syndrome. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(21), 4940. Forte, G., Favieri, F., & Casagrande, M. (2019). Heart rate variability and cognitive function: A systematic review. Frontiers in neuroscience, 13, 710. Forte, G., & Casagrande, M. (2025). The intricate brain–heart connection: The relationship between heart rate variability and cognitive functioning. Neuroscience, 565, 369-376. Forte, G., Morelli, M., & Casagrande, M. (2021). Heart rate variability and decision-making: Autonomic responses in making decisions. Brain sciences, 11(2), 243. Thayer, J. F., & Lane, R. D. (2000). A model of neurovisceral integration in emotion regulation and dysregulation. Journal of affective disorders, 61(3), 201-216.
Lesson mode
Lectures and practical exercises will be conducted in the classroom.
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseClinical Psychology
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDM-PSI/01
  • CFU3