Prior Research

A central goal of The Wiz Quiz is to maintain the memory performance of older adults, the primary audience of the activity. The reason for focusing on this outcome for this population is largely because age may be the single largest risk factor for the onset of dementia. A growing corpus of research evidence and theory indicates, however, that active steps can be taken to forestall the onset of the clinical symptoms of memory loss. For example, Stine-Morrow and Basak (2011) concluded their excellent review of the research on the efficacy of cognitive interventions with older adults by observing, “Our literature review suggests that a high level of mental fitness is possible longer into the life span than is often believed, but that it may depend on the coordinated enhancement of physical fitness, intellectual stimulation (emphasis added), and strong social networks” (p. 165).

Activity Design Features.

The Wiz Quiz questions are designed to stimulate effortful mental activity. Consider, for example, the cognitive demands posed by the following question from the category, World Literature, Philosophy, and Religion, which includes topics from the Bible. The correct answer is underlined. (Note that the multiple choice “recognition” format is used only after the question has been attempted without answer choices in a more challenging “recall” mode.)

What holiday commemorates the divine act that brought an end to the obstinacy of the Pharaoh? Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan (When the Angel of Death put to death every Egyptian first-born male but “passed over” Jewish homes, the Pharaoh allowed the Exodus to commence.)

Notice that a correct answer requires integration of factual, “declarative” knowledge about (1) the nature of the Pharoah’s obstinency, (2) the exact nature of the plague that convinced the Pharaoh to free the Jews more than one thousand years BCE, and (3), the holiday that celebrates it today.

Beyond the rigor of the questions, certain other research-based procedures of the activity enhance cognitive stimulation. One of these is that participants are required to play against the clock (a 30-second time limit for each question), which, Green (2011) and Kawashima (2008) suggest is particularly beneficial to cognitive functioning. Thus, The Wiz Quiz, according to key aspects of its design has the potential to help stave off the symptoms of dementia.

Findings of The Wiz Quiz Evaluations

Empirical results from the evaluation studies of The Wiz Quiz indicate that an overwhelming majority of participants feel that The Wiz Quiz helps their memory, that the complex questions posed with a time limit are challenging, and that, when they answer a question, it is an accomplishment. These results indicate that The Wiz Quiz is posing the kind of effortful mental activity that maintains cognitive fitness.