PSYC 350: Human Memory (Unit 7)

Prospective memory

Prospective memory

The act of remembering to remember, often in the absence of explicit reminders, which is essential for goal-oriented behaviour

Differences between RM and PM

• Directionality: prospective memory is looking forward in time, whereas retrospective memory is looking backward in time

• Intention: we generally try to remember things in our past, whereas we may not be actively trying to remember a prospective memory when it is brought up

Time-based prospective memory

Form of prospective memory in which time serves as the cue indicating that a given action is required

Event-based prospective memory

Form of prospective memory in which the presence of some event provides a cue to perform a given behaviour

Stages of prospective memory

1. Intention formation: forming/encoding the intended action that is linked to a specific cue

2. Retention retrieval: the delay between forming and executing intentions in which the environment is monitored for cues

3. Cue detection and intention retrieval: detecting the cue and initiating retrieval of the appropriate intention

4. Intention recall: successfully retrieving the intention from retrospective memory

5. Intention execution: executing the intention and marking it as complete

Preparatory attentional and memory processes (PAM) theory

Theory that prospective memory tasks require the use of attentional processes and rely on two mechanisms: effortful monitoring for cues and retrospective memory (to discriminate between prospective memory targets and non-targets)

Support and Criticism of PAM theory

Support:

• Prospective memory tasks are demanding during periods of time in which no stimuli require response

Criticism:

• Argues that conscious processes are necessary and thus PM can only be successful if the person is engaged in active monitoring, which is not the case

Multiprocess theory of prospective memory

Model of prospective memory that proposes that intentions can be spontaneously retrieved without monitoring when 1) the ongoing task stimulates processing of the PM target, 2) the cue and intention are highly linked, 3) the cue is highly salient, and 4) the intended action is simple

Delay theory of prospective memory

Theory that we consciously withhold responding to allow for more time for the prospective memory tasks to build up; spontaneous retrieval involves fast recollection of the intention but may miss things, whereas monitored retrieval uses delay to ensure all information about the intention is present

TBI and prospective memory

• TBI is associated with prospective memory impairment

• TBI impairs metamemory such that individuals are overconfident in their ability to recall the task they need to perform (but are accurate at estimating ability to recognize the cue)

Five situations that require PM for flying an airplane

1. Episodic tasks: remembering to perform a later task that is not typically performed at that time

2. Habitual task: remembering to perform habitual tasks in the correct order

3. Atypical action substitutes: remembering how to deviate from standard procedure in certain circumstances

4. Interrupted tasks: returning to a task after an interruption

5. Interleaving tasks: carrying out 2+ tasks at once and remember the steps they were doing and in what order for all tasks

Ways to improve prospective memory

• Create salient and distinctive reminder cues places in overt, task-relevant locations

• Minimize distractions by avoiding performing multiple other tasks at the same time

• Thought stopping: writing down thoughts that come into your head as you work on a task so they do not continue to intrude

• Create implementation intentions