Prospective Memory

Mark A. McDaniel - Washington University, St Louis, USA, Washington University, USA
Gilles O. Einstein - Furman University, USA

Other Titles in:
Learning | Memory

April 2007 | 280 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

When we think of memory, we typically think of remembering past events. However, there is another sort of memory for actions to be performed in the future, such as remembering to give a message to a friend, to take medication, or to turn off the oven. This sort of memory is called prospective memory, and it supports the planning and forward-looking activities that are a hallmark of human existence. However, despite a fast-growing literature and interest in prospective memory among psychologists, no integrative book provides an overview and synthesis of the theoretical and empirical work on this topic for instructors of memory courses and their students until now.

1. Prospective Memory: A New Research Enterprise

What is a Prospective Memory Task?

Scientific Study of Prospective Memory

2. Monitoring in Prospective Memory

Attentional Monitoring

Preparatory Attentional Processes

To Monitor or Not to Monitor: When is the Question

Summary

3. Spontaneous Retrieval in Prospective Remembering

Costs of Prospective Memory: Always Present?

Spontaneous Retrieval

Spontaneous Retrieval as a Reflexive Associative Memory Process

Spontaneous Noticing

Summary

Chapter 4. Multiprocess Theory of Prospective Memory

An Advantage of the Multiprocess Theory

Multiprocess Theory

Parameters of the Ongoing Task

Parameters of Prospective Memory Cues

Importance of the Prospective Memory Task

Individual Differences and Intra-Individual Differences

Planning

Summary

5. Storage and Retention of Intended Actions

Goschke and Kuhl’s Paradigm

Extending the Intention Superiority Effect

Retention of Intended Actions Over Time: Immune to Forgetting?

Retrieval of Intentions During the Retention Interval

Summary

6. Planning and Encoding of Intentions

Planning

Implementation Intentions

Individual Differences

Summary

7. Prospective Memory and Life Span Development

Prospective Memory in Children

Prospective Memory in Older Adults

Summary and Observations

8. Cognitive Neuroscience of Prospective Memory

The Neuropsychology of Prospective Memory

Neuroimaging and Prospective Memory

Event-Related Brain Potentials (ERPs)

Summary and Future Directions

9. Prospective Memory as it Applies to Work and Naturalistic Settings

General Recommendations for Improving Prospective Memory

An Analysis of a Prospective Memory Failure as Possible Interventions

Limitations of Generalizing to Applied and Natural Settings on the Basis of Existing Laboratory Experiments

Non-laboratory Methods for Investigating Prospective Memory

External Reminding Devices

Summary

10. Final Thoughts

In their new book, McDaniel & Einstein provide a direly needed review of this fascinating new field, providing important information for researchers, clinicians, and laypeople alike on how basic cognitive science is coming to a "big picture" understanding of prospective memory. The authors write very clearly, avoiding jargon and remaining casual while nonetheless maintaining the intellectual "pace" that is more commonly found in peer-reviewed journal articles. Highly recommended to students of psychology who are curious about an up-and-coming area of research that is ripe for further work.

Chris Chatham

Developing Intelligence

The processing of information in a sporting context is vital for performance. Team sports frequently have playbooks that contain hundreds of plays that are not always easy to remember. Understanding memory process will help in particular tasks that do not require immediate attention which makes this book very suitable for supplementary reading.

Mr Ian Sherwin

Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Limerick

November 11, 2014

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This is a great book that is both stimulating and easy to read. It successfully summarises the main advances in this emerging field and fully captures 2 decades of research on Prospective memory

Dr Florentia Hadjiefthyvoulou

Psychology, Nottingham Trent Univ.

September 22, 2014

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