Introduction to Psychology

MA’ALOT EDUCATIONAL NETWORK

SECTION A

A1 Course Title/Number Introduction to Psychology – Rabbi Joshua Gonsher, MA, MS Ed

A2 Name of Organization Ma’alot Educational Network

A3 Unit/Division Ma’alot Educational Network

A4 Location Jerusalem and other authorized sites (i.e., Baltimore)

A5 Previously Reviewed by Yes

NCCRS

A6 Backdated Credit Yes. From September 2009/2010

A7 First Offered / First Offered: September 1985, Recently Offered: 2014-15

Substantially Revised Substantially Revised:

A8 Developed by Staff Yes

SECTION B

B1 Multiple Sections on one No

site?

B2 Total Course Hours / 39 Clock hours, 3 hours per week for 13 weeks
Distribution of Hours

B3 Instructional Format Lecture – 60%

Discussion – 20%
Videos – 20%

Outside homework: 9 hours

B4 Method Of Evaluation Oral Presentation – 10%

Midterm or Paper – 45%
Final Exam – 45%

SECTION D

D1 Recording of Grades Letter Grades only

A: 94-100 A-:90-93

B+: 87-89 B: 83-86 B-:80-82

C+: 77-79 C: 73-76 C-:70-72

D: 60-69 Below 60: Fail

D2 Prerequisites Formal education: Record of successful completion of four years high school (or its
equivalent)

Page 1 of 4
Introduction to Psychology
D3 Students/Participants Number of Students per Year: 160
Average class size: 20
Audience: Students

D4 Learning Experience Students are expected to fill out an anonymous evaluation questionnaire at the end of the
Evaluation semester.

D5 Instructor/Developer MA and commensurate experience

Qualifications

D6 Colleges that have awarded Touro College, Empire State College: 3 Credits
credit

SECTION E

E1 Course Title/Number Introduction to Psychology

Total Course Hours / 39 Clock hours; 3 hours per week for 13 weeks
Distribution of Hours

Student Learning Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate familiarity
Objectives with biological, physiological, behavioral and cognitive influences in psychology; major
personality theories; mental health/illness; and social influences on people.

Required Readings Introduction to Psychology, James W. Kalat, 10th Edition, Wadsworth Cengage
Learning, 2013.
Videos:
The Brain, 2nd edition
The Mind

Assessments An average score of 70% qualifies for a grade of C and constitutes a pass.

Topics Major topics covered in the course include biological bases of behavior, perception, learning
and memory, problem solving, mental health, psychological development, and social
psychology.

Roadmap/Tentative SESSION I – 12/11 and 12/20

Schedule Introduction to Psychology – Chapters 1 and 2
The psychological perspective
The historical origins of psychology
Contemporary Perspective in Psychology:
Biological
Behavioral
Cognitive
The value of psychological research
Major sub fields in psychology

SESSION II – 12/25 (Rescheduling)

Biological bases of Psychology – Chapter 3
The properties of neurons
The importance of synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters
The division of the nervous system
The Brain-Anatomy-Central Core, Limbic System and Cerebrum
Asymmetries in the Brain

Page 2 of 4
Introduction to Psychology
The Autonomic Nervous System
Genetic influences in Behavior

SESSION III – 12/27 (Rescheduling)

Sensation and Perception – Chapter 4
Receiving and processing information from the outside world

SESSION IV – 1/1 and 1/3

Learning – Chapter 6
How do we learn?
Different forms of learning
Differences in the efficiency of learning
Shaping and modification of behavior
Can we unlearn?
The biological and neural bases of learning

SESSION V – 1/8 and 1/10

Memory: A Blessing and a Curse – Chapter 7
The three stages of memory
How the memory works
The nature of long-term memory
The impact of emotions on memory
Improve our memory
Memory construction: the ramifications for witnesses and the administration of justice

SESSION VI – 1/15 and 1/17

Thought and Language – Chapter 8
The role of concepts in thought
The differences between symbolic and imaginal thinking
Language: units and processes
The effect of context on comprehension and production
The Nature-Nurture Debate: How is language acquired?

SESSION VII – 1/22 and 1/24

Motivation and Emotion – Chapters 11 and 12
Primary and secondary motivators
The complex factors in understanding obesity, anorexia and bulimia
The advantages and disadvantages of the motivations for achievement and power
Emotions: What is arousal? The role of cognition in regulating emotion
Emotional effects on action tendencies

SESSION VIII – 1/29 and 1/31

Individual Differences; Intelligence and Personality – Chapters 9 and 14
The interaction between nature and nurture: heritability?
Examples of personality: environment interaction
Assessments of intellectual abilities and personality: benefits and risks
Major theoretical approaches to understanding personality

SESSION IX – 2/5 and 2/7

Stress, Health, and Coping – Chapter 12
What makes an event stressful?
Psychological and physiological reactions to stress

Page 3 of 4
Introduction to Psychology
Health and stress: two sides to a coin
Keeping ourselves healthy
Influencing our responses to stress
Interventions that reduce stress and improve health

SESSION X – 2/14
Abnormal Psychology – Chapter 15
The nature and diagnosis of psychological disorders
The difference between anxiety and mood disorders, schizophrenia and personality disorders

SESSION XI – 2/19
Treatment of Psychological Disorders – Chapter 15, cont.
Treatment for psychological disorders
The main forms of biological treatments
The nature of psychotherapy
The “s” word – stigma
Staying mentally healthy

SESSION XII – 2/21

Social Behavior – Chapter 13
“No man is an island”
How do we think about our social world?
How are we influenced by others?
How do we select friends?

SESSION XIII – 2/26

Final Exam

If we have time, we will attempt to go over chapters 5 and 10; if not, you will not be
responsible for the material therein.

Page 4 of 4