Study Programmes 2015-2016
PSYC5866-1  
Theoretical foundations of psychological sciences
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Bachelor in psychology and education : speech and language therapy3
Bachelor in psychology and education : general3
Lecturer :
André Ferrara
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Object and methods of psychology; historical sketch; psychological issues presented through five major approaches: biological, psychodynamic, behaviourist, humanistic and cognitive. General overview of psychology.
Learning outcomes of the course :
Introduction to the basic concepts of scientific psychology. Acquisition of general knowledge. It will be question of considering the way some important concepts like personality, emotion, learning and memory, motivation or psychological troubles are viewed from the different psychological perspectives.
The course helps developing critical thinking relatively to psychological issues. Among the studied issues:
  • Definition of psychology.
  • Introduction to several psychological perspectives. 
  • General survey of methods in psychology.
  • Biological basis of the behavior.
  • Sensation and perception.
  • Learning.
  • Memory.
  • Thinking and intelligence.
  • Motivation and emotion.
  • Stress and health.
  • Mental health.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Ex cathedra.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face.
Recommended or required readings :
Required manuals: K. Huffman (2009). Introduction à la psychologie. De Boeck.    PDF files through eCampus. Additional notes and illustrations to the textbook will be provided through those PDF files.
Recommended readings: S. Nicolas (2013). Histoire de la psychologie. DUNOD. / M. Reuchlin (2010). Histoire de la psychologie. PUF. / M. Décaudain & R. Ghiglione (2013). Les métiers de la psychologie. DUNOD.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Written exam.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Ferrara André (04/366.22.32 - a.ferrara@ulg.ac.be)