Will That Be on the Test?

Toward the end of the 19th century, the German scientist Hermann Ebbinghaus concocted an experiment that countless children have unwittingly replicated ever since, over a morning bowl of Alpha-Bits. Ebbinghaus took consonants from the alphabet, slapped a random vowel between them, and, voila! some 2,300 nonsense syllables were born...

Cold and Lonely: Does Social Exclusion Literally Feel Cold?

When we hear somebody described as “frosty” or “cold”, we automatically picture a person who is unfriendly and antisocial. We are taught at a young age that metaphors are meant to be descriptive and are not supposed to be taken literally. However, recent studies suggest that these metaphors are more than just fancy literary devices and that there is a psychological basis for linking cold with feelings of social isolation.

The New SAT: A Work in Progress

In 21st century America, getting into the best universities has become a ferociously competitive game. There are many more qualified students than selective schools can accommodate, and the hunt is on for the best students at public and private institutions alike. But who are the best students? American colleges and universities have long answered this question by looking at applicants' high-school grades in academic subjects and their scores on standardized college-entrance tests.

Teenage Wasteland: Kids who drink before 15 at increased risk for poor health as adults

As if raising teenagers wasn’t already difficult enough, parents are constantly barraged with information about the best way to deal with their teens. Is there a certain time period when teenagers can experiment with drugs and alcohol and not worry about ruining their lives? Is it only the “bad kids” that start drinking early who are at risk for becoming unhealthy adults?