Executive functions (EFs) are important for goal-directed behavior and have been linked with a number of important constructs like intelligence. The current study examined the link between EFs and aspects of normal and abnormal personality. Latent variables of working memory, fluency, response inhibition, and vigilance EFs were examined along with fluid intelligence (gF). It was found that the EFs were separate yet correlated, and that each was related to gF. Furthermore, it was found that aspects of personality as measured by the Five-Factor Model and the BIS/BAS were differentially related to the EFs and gF. Examination of personality disorder measures also demonstrated differential relationships with the EFs and gF. The results suggest a number of systematic and important links between EFs and personality and suggest the need for a more unified field of individual differences.

Implementation intentions are detailed and systematic plans that are developed during intention formation. We compared two different implementation intentions to standard event-based prospective memory instructions using three different kinds of intentions. Two of these intentions involved nonfocal cues whereas the remaining intention was about specific, focal cues. Implementation intentions dramatically increased detection performance for the nonfocal intentions. Because the exact cues could not be specified during intention formation, we argue that cue salience and that strengthening the cue to target action association are not very viable mechanisms to explain all instances of the beneficial consequences of forming implementation intentions.

In event-based prospective memory, current theories make differing predictions as to whether intention-related material can be spontaneously noticed (i.e., noticed without relying on preparatory attentional processes). In 2 experiments, participants formed an intention that was contextually associated to the final phase of the experiment, and lures that overlapped to differing degrees with the features of the intention-related cues were embedded in the initial phase. When participants were outside of the appropriate responding context (i.e., the initial phase), they exhibited slower latencies to lures that exactly matched the features of their intention compared with other types of lures and control words. In addition, on a final remember/know recognition test, participants reported having greater subjective recollection for the occurrence of the exact-match lures. These results suggest that exact-match lures were spontaneously noticed and differentially processed in the absence of any observable preparatory attentional processes. The findings have implications for the theoretical debate over whether preparatory attention must always be relied upon to notice intention-related material.

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The testing effect is the finding that prior retrieval of information from memory will result in better subsequent memory for that material. One explanation for these effects is that initial free recall testing increases the recollective details for tested information, which then becomes more available during a subsequent test phase. In three experiments we explored this hypothesis using a source-monitoring test phase after the initial free recall tests. We discovered that memory is differentially enhanced for certain recollective details depending on the nature of the free recall task. Thus further research needs to be conducted to specify how different kinds of memorial details are enhanced by free recall testing.

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Summary: We conducted three experiments to examine the dynamics of a delayed-execute prospective memory task involving task interruptions. In the delayed-execute paradigm, participants must delay a response until some future condition is met. After an intention was formed to a salient cue, an interruption reduced prospective memory relative to a no-interruption condition. Prospective memory for cues encountered during an interrupting task was worse than for cues occurring before an interruption, but the location of the cue in either the ongoing task or the interruption did not affect prospective memory. Importantly, reinstating the prevailing context after the interruption alleviated the negative influence of the interruption. Providing participants with information about the future context for making the delayed-execute response also alleviated some of these deficits presumably because participants could encode more specific features of the performance context. These results highlight the potential importance of contextual associations and reminders in completing everyday intentions successfully.

Background: Self-disclosures by psychotherapists can encompass a wide array of content, including information about the personal life of the psychotherapist. Aim: The goal of this study was to empirically assess reactions to psychotherapists disclosing their own personal problems to clients with similar problems. Methodology: This study explored participants' (n = 155) reactions to vignettes describing psychotherapists as either disclosing or not disclosing their own history of psychological problems to clients presenting with similar problems. Findings: Compared to otherwise identical vignettes featuring psychotherapists who did not self-disclose, vignettes featuring psychotherapists who self-disclosed were rated more positively in a variety of ways. Specifically, psychotherapists in the vignettes featuring self-disclosure were perceived as possessing a higher level of favourable personal qualities and as more likely to establish strong working relationships with clients and achieve success in therapy. Limitations of the method and alternate explanations for the results are considered. Implications: Implications regarding the judicious use by psychotherapists of self-disclosure regarding their own past psychological problems are discussed.