Women and Middle-Aged Individuals Report Using More Prospective Memory Aids

Abstract

Prospective memory use was compared for men and women ( N = 112 normal adults) using three age groups, under 40, 40–59, and over 60. The Prospective Memory Aids Questionnaire developed for this study had good test reliability over 4 wk. for internal, external, and total memory aids. Women reported using prospective memory aids, both external and internal, more frequently than men. All participants employed more types of external than internal aids and used them more frequently. The relationship between age and use of prospective memory aid was more complex. Middle-aged participants employed more external aids than younger and older participants. Use of memory aids, especially external ones, increased as prospective memory demands increased. A major finding was the significant interaction of age with sex which indicated that women increased their use of memory aids in the middle-age group while men showed decreases across age groups.

Memory Complaints and Prospective Memory Performance across the Lifespan

“…Long, Cameron, Harju, Lutz, and Means (1999) have shown that the use of prospective memory aids is quite frequent in young to old adults, particularly in middle-aged adults. Studies by Kreutzer et al (1975) and Beal (1985) demonstrated that already 4-5-year old children have knowledge about what kind of aids can facilitate their prospective memory performance, indicating that the use of prospective memory aids develops early in childhood and remains high until old age.…”