Section of Psychology and Educational Sciences

Psychological and educational sciences are considered in the framework of “human and social sciences” and, in line with the EU programme HORIZON 2020, as essential for the development of actions in today’s globalized world.

Research and training activities are undertaken in the fields of human development, social development, and lifelong learning for individuals, groups, communities and organizations, following an approach that highlights interdisciplinarity and methodological pluralism.

This Section takes forward the legacy of Gustavo Iacono, who first introduced psychology as an academic discipline in Naples and was one of the most illustrious scholars in this emerging field both at national and international level. Iacono’s pioneer work focused on aspects such as: the social significance of research; comparative analysis; ‘action research’; the motivations underlying human behaviour; health in the workplace. These topics, extremely topical, are still the object of scientific investigation.

Numerous scientific cooperation agreements have been set up between Faculty members and national and international research centers, also within the framework of research projects funded by local authorities, the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) and the European Union.
The Section has also a vibrant publishing activity.

Section’s members contribute to the activities of the Doctoral programme in Psychology, Pedagogy, Linguistics and Gender Studies, and to the PhD course in Human Mind and Gender Studies.