Stories by Sandra Upson

On Our Book Shelf: Editors' Picks

Where are All the Female Geniuses?

Women tend to choose work-life balance rather than the pursuit of eminence—although the choice is not entirely freely made

Living a Purposeful Life

Managing editor Sandra Upson introduces the January/February 2015 issue of Scientific American MIND

Human Cyborgs Reveal How We Learn

Hooking the brain up to a computer can do more than let the severely disabled move artificial limbs. It is also revealing the secrets of how we learn

What Is It Like to Control a Robotic Arm with a Brain Implant?

How one woman learned to use the electrodes implanted in her brain as an extension of her nervous system.

10 Years of Scientific American MIND

The Great Wide World of "Huh?" [Interactive]

Languages all over the world have a word similar to "huh?" that helps speakers repair a conversation after an utterance misses its mark

The Science of Metacognition

Managing editor Sandra Upson introduces the September/October 2014 issue of Scientific American MIND

Decoding the Genius of Groups

Health Care Crisis Looms as China Faces Elderly Dementia Upsurge

A growing population of elderly people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in China threatens to overwhelm the country’s social support systems

The Science of Memory

Managing editor Sandra Upson introduces the May/June 2014 issue of Scientific American MIND

Taiwan's "Occupy" Movement Teeters Between Peace and Violence

In the biggest student-led protest in Taiwan's history, an estimated 10,000 people have surrounded government buildings in Taipei in opposition to an impending trade deal with mainland China...

New Strategies to Calm a Child's Mind

The essential guide to improving kid behavior and resilience

Friends With Many Benefits

Managing editor Sandra Upson introduces the January/February 2014 issue of Scientific American MIND

On Our Shelf: Thief of Time

Books and recommendations from Scientific American MIND

Sloth: To Stop Procrastinating, Focus on Emotions

We get an emotional boost when we procrastinate, but research offers strategies to help stay the course

The Science of Sin

Managing editor Sandra Upson introduces the November/December 2013 issue of Scientific American MIND

Accurate Self-Beliefs Strengthen Relationships

How well do we know ourselves? The intuition that you are your own best judge is strong, yet flawed. The prevailing wisdom in social psychology today is that we are incorrigible self-enhancers...

Self-Esteem Is Overrated

Managing editor Sandra Upson introduces the September/October 2013 issue of Scientific American MIND

Pigeons, Like Humans, Can Behave Irrationally

Gambling may seem like a uniquely human activity. Twinkling slot machines and croupiers in starched white shirts may be about as far from the natural world as we can get.