Current Issue

Heartbreak and Home Runs: The Power of First Experiences

From winning the science fair to losing a first boyfriend, certain youthful experiences cast a long shadow, revealing character and at times actually shaping it.
How to Win American Idol

A creativity researcher cracks the pop-stardom code: It's not talent or looks—it's something far more improbable.

Mother, Damned-est

Most people think their mom was difficult, but some mothers put their children in a bind that actually warps their development.
Hypochondria: The Impossible Illness

For millions, a cough is not merely a cough; it’s a drumroll of death, and no amount of diagnostic assurance can convince them otherwise. But the crosstalk between mind and body is such that we may all have a bit of the hypochondriac within.