Prospective memory helps us with 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. It supports the planning and forward-looking activities. This book provides an overview and synthesis of the theoretical and empirical work on this topic.

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