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Applied Psychology

Factors Influencing Human Behaviour

Explore the factors shaping behaviour and the formation of habits, attitudes, and values.

R6,470.00

a group of women listening and celebrating each other

Duration

8 weeks

Commitment

10 hours weekly study

Start Date

10 August 2026

End Date

4 October 2026

Course Overview

What makes you the person you are? Unpack the internal and external factors that shape and develop human behaviour.

The Factors Influencing Human Behaviour micro-credential explores the elements that shape your social attitudes and values. Dive into areas such as sensation, perception, how good your memory is, and why memory is important in navigating life’s choices.

In this 8-week course, you will examine your habits and why you have them. Discover how effective your problem-solving skills are, and how much your feelings impact your actions.

Learn how your personal sense of self shapes your outlook on life and understand how this has a knock-on effect on how well or how poorly you connect with others to achieve your personal and professional goals.

What You’ll Learn

Over the course of eight (8) weeks, through videos, readings and discussions, you will explore the following topics:

Week 1: Key constructs of human cognition. The role and importance of attention, sensation, perception and memory in navigating life’s opportunities and challenges.

Week 2: The development of social cognition. The strategies and processes we employ in how we think of others and behave towards them.

Week 3: How social attitudes and values are shaped. How social attitudes are influenced by your environment and culture in shaping the way you think about yourself and others.

Week 4: How key emotional experiences influence our actions. The beauty and complexity of human feelings and how they influence the way you experience and make sense of the world.

Week 5: The importance of wellbeing. The importance of a ‘positive psychology’ that focuses on enhancing your wellbeing.

Week 6: Gender formation – differences and challenges. Explore the complexities of gender formation.

Week 7: The uniqueness and beauty of the range of human sexuality. How sexuality is developed, perceived and responded to by different worldviews.

Week 8: Complete a final assessment. Review all aspects of the micro-credential content.

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course you will have:

Differentiated key constructs of human cognition.
Analysed social cognition as a key factor of human development.
Defined the influence of environmental and cultural factors upon social attitudes.
Described how key emotional experiences influence our actions.
Examined wellbeing and a wellness perspective.
Explained the formation of gender.
Examined various views of human sexuality.

Learner Experience

Wendy Mogale

"My online learning experience has been truly transformative. It empowered me to delve into new subjects at my own pace. Learning online allowed me to foster connections with peers from across the globe."

Nadine van Heerden

"I really learned a lot about gender and sexuality. I had no idea how to approach the subject before. Factors Influencing Human Behaviour is really a course that everyone should take."

Elizabeth Lizna Lucas

"As a post-graduate in the humanities, I found the Factors Influencing Human Behaviour course to be exceptionally enriching. It bridged theoretical concepts with practical insights, enhancing my understanding of the complex interplay between individual actions and broader social influences."

Certification

Upon completion, you will receive a digital certificate of competence and badge. Your certificate and badge can be shared on 100+ social media platforms, allowing you to share your achievement with a single click.

Credential Type

This course has been reviewed by the OpenLearning team to ensure quality academic learning within the Malaysian and Australian credentialing framework.

An OpenLearning OpenCred is a type of credential that can stand-alone, or interact with a formal qualification. OpenCred courses are market-leading online courses that prepare learners for the future of work.

This course has been designed and developed by experts in the field of psychology. The Factors Influencing Human Behaviour micro-credential is for anyone needing to upskill in this area and offers 80 hours of learning and assessment.

Learners study online with peers and receive robust academic content while acquiring practical industry-relevant skills.

OpenCreds

Completing this course leads to obtaining an OpenCred.

80 hours of learning
OpenCred classification: Pathway

Stackable Credentials

Stack specified combinations of micro-credentials and they can be recognised as equivalent to a module within the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree at SACAP. Intro to Human Behaviour can be stacked with Factors Influencing Human Behaviour and Domains of Psychology and if you meet the minimum entrance criteria, you can enrol for the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree and apply for module exemption.

Dates

Class of 2026 August: 10 August – 4 October
Class of 2026 September: 7 September – 1 November
Class of 2026 October: 12 October – 6 December

There are no online classes. Course content is released on a weekly basis allowing you to work through course material, and meet weekly targets, at a time that is most convenient to you.

Course highlights

How different factors influence your sense of self.
How your sense of self shapes your outlook on life.
How to create better connections with others to achieve personal and professional goals.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements?

Anyone 18 years of age or older can sign up for this micro-credential course. There are no academic entry requirements or conditions.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in understanding how habits, attitudes and values are formed.

What is the time commitment?

A total of 80 hours is required to complete the micro-credential course. An average of 10 hours weekly over 8 weeks.

What do you need to do the course?

Access to Microsoft Word
Google Chrome (recommended)
Stable internet connection

Is this course accredited?

The micro-credential course is not accredited and non-credit bearing.

What influences human behaviour?

Factors that influence human behaviour include internal elements like motivation, emotions, and personality, as well as external influences such as relationships, cultural context, environment, and life experiences. Shaping how we think, feel, and act in different situations. Read more here.

The Team

The SACAP Global team brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various disciplines. Our expert short course developers and dedicated support team are passionate about sharing their insights to help you get the most out of your online learning journey.