The Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science (DiPSCo), devoted to research, education and knowledge transfer with a multidisciplinary approach, aims to explore the functioning of the brain and its functional architecture in typical and atypical development; research also focus on the biological basis of cognitive systems, models of social and cultural interaction, human-computer interaction, human behaviours in organized contexts.

The 'Departments of Excellence' project

The Department's project, in line with its structure and with cognitive sciences, aims to integrate its different areas by: 

  1. promoting interdisciplinary research in the field of basic and applied psychology by taking advantage of the innovative link with cognitive technologies;
  2. strengthening its neuroimaging area, which conducts studies using methodologies that provide knowledge on the functioning of the brain.

The main phases of the project

A number of actions will be put in place to achieve the above objectives:

  • 1. Strengthening convergence research in the area of psychology

Encourage innovative and international-oriented research, which integrates basic research in psychology with the disciplines of technology, neurosciences and other sectors.

The department encourages research on the relationship between humans and technology, to explore the impact of technological advancements on people and society, examining both the positive and negative consequences (e.g. pathological addiction, issues with a psychological personal space, privacy, social control). A joint research laboratory with Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) will be set up in Trento to facilitate this cultural and scientific collaboration.

a. Equipment needs to be upgraded; the research team needs to include more members; the department needs to create a system to assess management costs. 
b. The department will set up a database to organize and share neuroimage data and, in particular, data concerning images of the brain. The database will contain brain images from healthy patients and patients suffering from conditions. 

A further objective of the project is to increase educational activities to encourage more student participation in laboratory work, to provide students with knowledge and skills that they will need in their professional career.