Final answer:
In an APA style reference list, the first piece of information is the author's last name, followed by first initials.
Step-by-step explanation:
When looking at a reference list in a psychology textbook or journal, particularly when formatted according to the APA style, you would find that the first piece of information typically listed is the author's last name, followed by their first initials. This is part of the standard citation format which includes other elements like the title of the article, title of the journal, volume number, issue number, date of publication, and page numbers or DOI/URL. The entries in the reference list are arranged in alphabetical order, making the author’s last name crucial for locating the citation.