Welcome to the Aging, Bejeweled, and Cognition Study

The Aging, Bejeweled, and Cognition Study is an exciting new study that focuses on Bejeweled Blitz^®, a game that relies on speed, the ability to scan an array for relevant patterns, and the ability to predict stimulus patterns.

The goal of this study, directed by Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, is to show that training in this popular video game can produce transferable skills to real-world tasks that involve rapid decision-making. You can also read about the study in this Springfield Republican article.

Want to participate?

If you are 65 years of age and and are willing to visit the UMass Amherst campus, we welcome you to participate in our study. You will receive $20 for a single one-hour session. To request an appointment, or if you have any questions, email us at: abcstudy2@gmail.com.

Research on aging and intelligence, including several large longitudinal studies, suggests that aging involves a steady decline in fluid intelligence. However, training studies with older adults also suggest that certain types of interventions can successfully alter the course of decline.

We are currently conducting Phase 1 of this study to investigate differences between younger and older in actual play under controlled laboratory conditions.  

This research is supported by funding from PopCap Games, maker of Bejeweled Blitz.