The Importance of Source and Cue Type in Time-Based Everyday Prospective Memory

We examined the effects of the source of a prospective memory task (provided or generated) and the type of cue (specific or general) triggering that task in everyday settings. Participants were asked to complete both generated and experimenter-provided tasks and to send a text message when each task...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of psychology 2014-09, Vol.127 (3), p.343-350
Main Authors: OATES, Joyce M., PEYNIRCIOG ˘ LU, ZEHRA F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Cohort effect
Cues
Deadlines
Effects
Emotion theories
Emotions - physiology
Experimental psychology
Female
Grocery stores
Humans
Interpersonal relations
Male
Memory
Memory, Episodic
Mental task performance
Physiological aspects
Prospective memory
Psychological aspects
Psychology
Social Sciences
Text messages
Text messaging
Time Factors
Young Adult
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Description
Summary:We examined the effects of the source of a prospective memory task (provided or generated) and the type of cue (specific or general) triggering that task in everyday settings. Participants were asked to complete both generated and experimenter-provided tasks and to send a text message when each task was completed. The cue/context for the to-be-completed tasks was either a specific time or a general deadline (time-based cue), and the cue/context for the texting task was the completion of the task itself (activity-based cue). Although generated tasks were completed more often, generated cues/contexts were no more effective than provided ones in triggering the intention. Furthermore, generated tasks were completed more often when the cue/context comprised a specific time, whereas provided tasks were completed more often when the cue/context comprised a general deadline. However, texting was unaffected by the source of the cue/context. Finally, emotion modulated the effects. Results are discussed within a process-driven framework.
ISSN:0002-9556
1939-8298
DOI:10.5406/amerjpsyc.127.3.0343