CPD Social Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in Context | Level 7 (Postgraduate)

• New for May 2027, online Level 7 (master's level) 20-credit CPD module
• No psychology background needed - part of LJMU's suite of psychology conversion courses
• Study core theories and contemporary issues in social psychology, including:
  • prejudice
  • aggression
  • persuasion
  • identity
  • and social change
• Develop practical skills in qualitative research methods including interviewing, survey design, and thematic analysis
• Develop transferable skills in critical thinking, research literacy, analytical reasoning, and evidence-based communication
• Study as a standalone CPD module or progress through the MSc Psychology (Conversion) CPD pathway aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements
• Ideal for graduates and professionals balancing study with work and personal commitments

Develop advanced understanding of social behaviour, group processes, and social influence through a flexible fully online postgraduate CPD module designed for professional and academic progression.

Social Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in Context at Liverpool John Moores University provides you with an advanced introduction to the major theories, research methods, and contemporary debates within social psychology.

Designed and delivered directly by LJMU’s School of Psychology, this fully online postgraduate CPD module combines academic rigour, flexible online learning, and research-informed teaching to support knowledge development, professional growth, and progression into postgraduate psychology study.

The module explores how thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviours are shaped by social context, group processes, culture, identity, and interpersonal interaction. You will examine the ways social psychological principles can be applied to contemporary issues affecting individuals, communities, and society.

You will engage critically with major social psychological topics including:

• social influence and persuasion
• attitudes and behaviours
• identity and group processes
• stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination
• aggression and violence
• social change and collective behaviour
• qualitative research methods in social psychology
• thematic analysis, interviewing, and survey design

The module is designed for graduates and professionals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds who wish to deepen their understanding of social behaviour while developing advanced analytical, reflective, and research-informed skills.

You will study through a fully online and predominantly asynchronous model that allows flexible engagement with learning materials while balancing professional, personal, or caring responsibilities. Scheduled synchronous office hours provide opportunities for direct interaction with academic staff and support a strong sense of academic community throughout the module.

Teaching is informed by current scholarship and contemporary social psychological research within LJMU’s School of Psychology. You will be encouraged to critically evaluate evidence, engage with academic literature, and apply social psychological concepts to real-world situations and contemporary societal issues.

As the module is delivered directly by the university, you will benefit from the same institutional virtual learning environment and digital academic resources used across LJMU programmes.

Throughout the module, you will develop advanced transferable skills in:

• critical analysis
• qualitative research literacy
• evidence-based reasoning
• reflective practice
• academic writing
• digital scholarship
• thematic analysis
• professional communication

Students who successfully complete the module will receive a Liverpool John Moores University Certificate of Professional Development worth 20 Level 7 credits.

You can choose to study this module as a standalone CPD qualification, or combine it with additional CPD modules within the MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework. Students who complete the required CPD modules may subsequently progress to the dissertation stage in order to complete the full MSc award.

The wider MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework has been designed around the curriculum expectations associated with future British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.

Teaching and learning on this fully online CPD course are delivered through a flexible, mostly asynchronous model, enabling you to engage with weekly learning materials, readings, and activities at times that fit around professional and personal commitments.

Scheduled live synchronous office hours provide opportunities for direct, real-time interaction with academic staff. This gives the opportunity for clarification of concepts, discussion of assessments, and academic guidance throughout the module.

You will learn through a combination of structured digital resources, guided independent study, critical discussion activities, reflective exercises, qualitative research activities, and engagement with contemporary social psychological literature.

The module, has been designed by academics with expertise in psychology, online education, and postgraduate curriculum development. Teaching is informed by current scholarship and contemporary developments within social psychology.

The curriculum progresses through key theoretical, methodological, and applied areas of social psychology, supporting the development of critical understanding, analytical reasoning, reflective practice, and research competence.

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through a combination of:

• structured online learning materials
• guided reading of academic literature
• short-form multimedia learning resources
• online discussion and collaborative learning activities
• reflective and analytical writing exercises
• qualitative research activities
• independent scholarly research
• scheduled synchronous office hours

The programme uses the same institutional virtual learning environment and systems as wider LJMU provision, ensuring students are fully integrated within the LJMU academic environment.

Applied learning

Throughout the module, you will apply social psychological theories and research methods to contemporary social, cultural, and professional issues.

You will develop practical postgraduate-level skills in:

• critical evaluation of evidence
• qualitative interviewing and survey design
• thematic analysis
• academic and professional communication
• reflective analysis
• synthesis of complex information
• digital academic research tools
• evidence-based reasoning

The final project enables students to critically investigate a social psychological issue through qualitative research procedures and analytical interpretation.

Module information

Social Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in Context consists of one 20-credit Level 7 module studied across 12 weeks.

The curriculum has been designed to provide a rigorous introduction to social psychology while supporting the development of qualitative research skills and progression into wider postgraduate psychology study.

Students may study the module independently as a standalone Certificate of Professional Development or combine it with additional CPD modules within the MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework.

The module contributes toward a broader MSc Psychology (Conversion) pathway aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum expectations.

• IELTS

  IELTS English Language at a minimum of 7.0 or equivalent, with no less than 6.5 in any single component.

• Undergraduate degree
  • Minimum 2:2 degree, obtained in a University recognised at the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
  • Must achieve 60% or above pass mark in final year research project/dissertation, or demonstrate the acquisition of a suficient foundation in research skills appropriate to Psychology

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

We are looking for students with intellectual curiosity, motivation, and commitment to engage critically with social behaviour, contemporary social issues, and psychological research.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to engage with postgraduate-level study through independent learning, analytical reasoning, reflective thinking, and effective written communication.

As this is an intensive Level 7 CPD module, effective time management and active engagement with online learning activities will be important to your success.

Students should also be prepared to engage critically with academic literature, participate in online discussion and collaborative learning activities, and develop advanced skills in qualitative research, evidence-based analysis, and scholarly communication.

Assessment is designed to develop critical understanding, analytical reasoning, qualitative research competence, and reflective interpretation through authentic postgraduate-level tasks.

You will be assessed through a combination of:

• discussion questions and reflective discussion activities
• a final qualitative research report and analytical project

Discussion activities encourage critical engagement with weekly learning materials, theoretical perspectives, and contemporary social psychological issues.

The final report enables students to critically evaluate social psychological concepts and research evidence while applying qualitative research procedures such as interviews, surveys, and thematic analysis.

Formative feedback is provided throughout the module to support progressive development in analytical reasoning, academic writing, research competence, and evidence-based interpretation.