The first chapter provides an overview of the textbook and reviews the history of psychology and its methodology. Psychology is described as a science studying how hereditary (nature) and experiential (nurture) variables interact to influence the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals. The remainder of the text will be organized in sections entitled "Mostly Nature" (Biological Psychology
Sensation & Perception
Motivation & Emotion), "Mostly Nurture" (Direct Learning
Indirect Learning (i.e., observational learning and language)
Cognition), and "Nature/Nurture" (Human Development
Personality
Social Psychology
Maladaptive Behavior
Professional Psychology and Human Potential).