Executive Certificate in Understanding Relationships

This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical awareness of the factors that influence relationships and social behaviours and to understand and apply the main psychological theories and theoretical perspectives to the study of everyday social behaviours. Students will study the contributions made by key researchers in order to gain awareness of the key terms, debates and paradigms used within both classic and contemporary approaches to understanding relationships. In studying the empirical basis for understanding relationships, students will develop their understanding of the role of empirical evidence in the creation and constraint of theory, and also in how theory guides the collection and interpretation of empirical data. Students will apply critical skills as they compare and evaluate relevant research paradigms, theories and perspectives, and as they critically analyse research methods and ethical implications related to studying relationships and social behaviour.

By the end of this module you should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate evolutionary, social and developmental perspectives on understanding relationships 

2. Conduct a sustained literature review integrating different perspectives relating to understanding aspects of human relationships 

3. Compare and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research paradigms for analysing observational data including ethical issues 

4. Demonstrate competence in conducting and presenting qualitative/quantitative analysis of human interaction-based data

Employability Skills

Employers are looking for a wide range of employability skills alongside theoretical expertise. To support your professional development, this module will facilitate the development of ...

working effectively within a team and individually; research skills; academic writing and expression; critical thinking skills; capacity to reflect upon work; evaluation skills; presentation and communication skills, and ability to carefully evaluate different perspectives.

This course is ideal for:

• Professionals seeking deeper insights into human relationships, social behaviours, and identity formation.
• HR practitioners, managers, and leaders who want to apply psychological theories to workplace dynamics and team development.
• Educators, counsellors, and social service professionals interested in understanding cultural, developmental, and social influences on behaviour.
• Individuals pursuing personal growth through critical reflection on identity, relationships, and social interactions.
• Anyone keen to strengthen employability skills such as critical thinking, research, communication, and presentation.

"Dr Fong shows expert knowledge in his field. He shares his experience very willingly and helps the participants understand the lesson content. The most beneficial aspect of this workshop, in my opinion, was delving into the coaching framework and model." - Fu Sirong, Senior Manager, MSF

"Really enjoyed this workshop! Dr Christopher Fong is very passionate about the topics and is very generous in sharing his knowledge and information. He is able to address our enquiries and has conducted the content-heavy workshop in a light hearted approach. The WHAT framework and accompanying tools provided invaluable insights, making this workshop a standout learning experience." - Clara Poh, Manager, SingHealth Community Hospitals

"Very refreshing and his style made us sit up and want to pay attention! Coaching is scientific! Dr Fong is super goooooood! I loved how he linked the theories to practical daily life instances. Really opened my mind to a refreshing perspective!" - Muhammad Ridzuan, Chief Musician (Brass), SPF Band

“(Learning via Zoom is) Very good. The facilitator was engaging and was able to get people to participate. He is open with his struggles thus making it a safe space for people to share about theirs. Yes, I would recommend this course especially for those who need to coach or mentor others in their work. Even if you don’t need to, it’s also useful for those who are parents.” – Yvonne, Senior Manager, Ministry of Social and Family Development

“Wonderful experience using Zoom. Chris is a friendly and approachable trainer with genuine sharing. Very insightful.” – Kek Wee, Singapore Prison Service 

“Staff was very efficient to assist. No issues with Zoom. The trainer was extremely candid, no big words and extremely comprehensive to my knowledge. He has done fantastic planning of the course contents. I am excited to apply it to my work.” – Madeleine, Programme Coordinator, Raffles College of Higher Education Pte. Ltd.

“I love it. I prefer learning and training online. You would be able to pick up knowledge on psychology and personality interpretations from the trainer. I have gained insights about myself and also useful knowledge to better understand and analyse family, friends and colleagues.” – Shamila, Deputy Director, MHA

“No problem with ZOOM, it is a great virtual/media tool. A good experience for me as a Merdeka Generation Old Guard. Dr. Fong, is truly a professional and experienced trainer and facilitator. I would certainly recommend him highly to my community for future courses. I will recommend this course to my colleagues and friends as it will be very beneficial in supplementing and strengthening their knowledge, skills and aptitude in their careers.” – Chris, SportPsych Consulting

“He knows his work very well and is very adaptive to meet learning needs.” – Cynthia, Principal Master Teachers, Academy of Singapore Teachers

Dr. Chris Fong – Strategic Leadership and Coaching Expert

With over 20 years of experience in strategic leadership and coaching, Dr. Chris Fong is a recognized authority in the field. As a National Fellow for Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development, he has played a pivotal role in shaping leadership pipelines and mentoring sector leaders. Dr. Fong earned his Doctorate in Professional Studies in 2015 and is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). A thought leader in multicultural and diversity issues, his research has been published globally, influencing organizational culture and business strategies.

Dr. Fong’s unique background as an award-winning orchestra conductor turned psychologist adds a creative dimension to his approach. He seamlessly integrates the principles of Positive Psychology with leadership practices, offering transformative learning experiences. His evidence-based frameworks have been widely adopted across industries, making him a sought-after speaker and consultant.