Are you considering earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology? If you are passionate about helping others and interested in learning about the way people think, the bachelors of science in psychology degree program may be right for you.

In considering this educational path, it can be helpful to know some of the skills that can allow you to succeed in the field. Here are five qualities of a great psychologist:

Great psychologists understand the importance of research in their field. Through research, psychologists can examine human behavior in each life stage, and how personality and cognitive thinking are formed, developed and influenced by social and cultural factors. There are many exciting opportunities for psychologists who are passionate about research and are skilled in scientific observation and data collection and analysis.

Being an effective communicator is helpful in any career, but it is especially critical in the field of psychology. As a psychologist, you will work with all kinds of people from different backgrounds. Being able to communicate effectively will allow you to provide patients with quality care, as you interact with them to determine diagnoses and develop treatment plans.

Successful psychologists are motivated by a desire to help others. Psychology can be a very rewarding field, but it can also be challenging at times. Ultimately, great psychologists are able to see through the challenging times in order to positively impact the lives of those they work with.

As the field of psychology deals with people, ethical responsibilities are involved. Psychologists can greatly impact the lives of others, so it is important for them to always have the best interest of their patients in mind. Successful psychologists abide by ethical standards to ensure no harm is done to their patients and that their needs are met.

Critical thinking is essential when earning bachelors of science in psychology and in the field of psychology. Psychologists who raise questions to address problems, gather information and test their conclusions are able to make a meaningful impact in the field and in the lives of their patients. In addition, they must be open-minded and willing to take the perspective of others in their practice. In the end, critical thinking skills allow psychologists to develop and implement solutions to problems.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a range of degree programs, including the bachelors of science in psychology, that can help you to develop the skills needed to succeed in a wide variety of fields. To learn more about the psychology degree programs available at GCU, visit our website.