Prospective memory

Prospective memory is a form of memory that involves remembering to perform a planned action or recall a planned intention at some future point in time.[1] Prospective memory tasks are common in daily life and range from the relatively simple to extreme life-or-death situations.[2] Examples of simple tasks include remembering to put the toothpaste cap back on, remembering to reply to an email, or remembering to return a rented movie. Examples of highly important situations include a patient remembering to take medication or a pilot remembering to perform specific safety procedures during a flight.

In contrast to prospective memory, retrospective memory involves remembering people, events, or words that have been encountered in the past.[3] Whereas retrospective memory requires only the recall of past events, prospective memory requires the exercise of retrospective memory at a time that has not yet occurred.[citation needed] Prospective memory is thus considered a form of "memory of the future".

Retrospective memory involves the memory of what we know, containing informational content; prospective memory focuses on when to act, rather than focusing on informational content.[4] There is some evidence demonstrating the role of retrospective memory in the successful execution of prospective memory, but this role seems to be relatively small.[5]

  1. ^ McDaniel, M. A., & Einstein, G. O. (2007). Prospective memory: An overview and synthesis of an emerging field . Sage Publications Ltd.
  2. ^ Levent. A & Davelaar E.J. (2019) Illegal drug use and prospective memory: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 204, 107478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.04.042
  3. ^ Burgess, P., Shallice, T. (1997). .The relationship between prospective and retrospective memory: Neuropsychological evidence. Cognitive models of memory (249–256).
  4. ^ Baddeley, A. (Ed.). (1997). Human memory: Theory and practice. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.
  5. ^ McDaniel, M., Einstein, O., Graham, T., & Rall, E. (2004). Delaying execution of intentions: Overcoming the costs of interruptions. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 18. 533-547.