| Theme | Definition | What to look for |
| Nature and Nurture | The relative weight of heredity and environment in relation to behaviors, personality characteristics, etc. | Adaptation, heredity, environment, genes, instincts, reflexes, upbringing, peers, parents |
| Culture | The relative importance of cultural influences on behaviors, personality characteristics, and so on | Diversity, ethnicity, ethnic groups, cultural context, cross-cultural factors, ethnocentrism |
| Gender | The relative importance of one’s gender as it relates to behaviors, personality characteristics, and so on | Gender bias, gender differences, social roles, masculinity, femininity, gender roles |
| Positive Psychology | The focus on positive aspects of human beings, as opposed to the more traditional focus on abnormality and maladaptive behavior | Strengths, optimal behavior, happiness, well-being, achievement, self-confidence, human potential |
| Throughout this textbook, you will come across four important themes: nature and nurture, culture, gender, and positive psychology. |