Predictors of crossword puzzle proficiency and moderators of age-cognitionrelations

Four studies, each with approximately 200 adults between the ages of 18 and 80, were conducted to address two major goals. The first,goal was to exami ne the relative contributions of different factors to the successful soluti on of crossword puzzles. Correlations and structural equation analyses reve aled that general knowledge is the strongest predictor of crossword puzzle proficiency. Surprisingly, abstract reasoning ability, as measured by sever al different tests, had no direct relation to puzzle proficiency. The secon d goal of the project was to examine moderators of the relations between ag e and measures of both fluid and crystallized cognition. The results provid e no evidence to suggest that amount of crossword puzzle experience reduces age-related decreases in fluid cognition or enhances age-related increases in crystallized cognition.