Individual differences in episodic memory abilities predict successful prospective memory output monitoring

Abstract

Output monitoring refers to memory for one's previously completed actions. In the context of prospective memory (PM) (e.g., remembering to take medication), failures of output monitoring can result in repetitions and omissions of planned actions (e.g., over- or under-medication). To be successful in output monitoring paradigms, participants must flexibly control attention to detect PM cues as well as engage controlled retrieval of previous actions whenever a particular cue is encountered. The current study examined individual differences in output monitoring abilities in a group of younger adults differing in attention control (AC) and episodic memory (EM) abilities. The results showed that AC ability uniquely predicted successful cue detection on the first presentation, whereas EM ability uniquely predicted successful output monitoring on the second presentation. The current study highlights the importance of examining external correlates of PM abilities and contributes to the growing body of research on individual differences in PM.

Exploring the Relationship between Emotional Valence and Prospective Memory Metamemory in Younger and Older Adults

“…As WM is involved in maintaining PM intentions while performing other tasks, PM performance is influenced by WM load, with older adults being more affected due to their age-related decline in WM [7]. However, decline in WM or other associated cognitive abilities such as episodic memory or executive functions does not fully explain PM performance in older age, suggesting that other factors may be at play as well [7][8][9].…”