Task Importance Effects on Prospective Memory Strategy Use

Abstract

Mnemonic strategies generally improve prospective memory (PM) performance. However, little is known about why people use such strategies. In the Motivational-Cognitive Prospective Memory model, task importance is thought to influence performance via multiple mechanisms, including increased strategy use. Our main purpose was to test this mechanism: higher PM task importance was hypothesized to cause greater strategy use. We also tested whether importance would specifically increase the use of more effective (external) strategies. Participants reported their strategy use for two hypothetical PM tasks. As predicted, they listed more strategies for more important tasks. This result demonstrates one mechanism for motivational effects in early phases of the task. We found weaker support for the prediction that participants would selectively increase their use of better strategies for more important tasks. This finding supports a relatively pessimistic view of meta-memory in PM, at least when it comes to modulating one's use of dependable strategies.

The short version of the Metacognitive Prospective Memory Inventory (MPMI-s): factor structure, reliability, validity, and reference data

“…To our knowledge, this is the first inventory to include both internal and external strategies of PM. The two strategy factors support the previously made theoretical distinction between internal and external PM strategies (Maylor, 1990;Penningroth & Scott, 2013). As expected, both strategy factors are positively related to reported PM abilities.…”

“…Further, laboratory and everyday PM performances strongly depend on the use of mnemonic strategies, such as intention rehearsal, imagery, etc., as well as of external memory aids, such as calendars, todo lists, etc. (e.g., Gilbert, 2015;Penningroth & Scott, 2013;Shelton et al, 2016). Notably, this is particularly true for groups with PM impairments when performing naturalistic tasks, such as older adults who need to remember to make phone calls (Maylor, 1990) or patients with brain injuries who need to keep track of their activities (McDonald et al, 2011).…”

Influence of Ongoing Task Difficulty and Motivation Level on Children’s Prospective Memory in a Chinese Sample

“…An essential feature of PM tasks is that they must be performed while an individual is absorbed by another task, namely an OT ( McDaniel and Einstein, 2000 ). Some previous studies have suggested that the influence of OT difficulty and motivation on PM performance is highly likely to differ between preschool children and other age groups ( Meeks et al, 2007 ; Kliegel et al, 2010 ; Penningroth and Scott, 2013 ). Therefore, we conducted Experiments 2 and 3 to further explore the influence of OT difficulty on children’s PM performance at both low and high motivation levels for completing the OT.…”

“…However, the time perception ability of children has not fully developed in early childhood ( Luo, 2011 ; Sylvie, 2012 ); therefore, delayed retrieval is likely a critical PM retrieval mode in early childhood. Moreover, the factors influencing PM may differ between preschool children and other age groups ( Meeks et al, 2007 ; Penningroth and Scott, 2013 ). However, few studies have investigated these issues.…”

“…For example, Einstein et al (1992) reported that conditions involving high motivational levels greatly improve the capability of 2- to 4-year-old children to complete PM tasks. Furthermore, studies have manipulated individuals’ motivational levels by using instructions; the results also indicate that higher motivation levels markedly improve PM performance ( Kvavilashvili and Fisher, 2007 ; Penningroth et al, 2012 ; Penningroth and Scott, 2013 ). Aberle and Kliegel (2010) reported that raising motivational levels through monetary rewards had a marked effect on PM performance in a sample of children who were in the transition phase from kindergarten to preschool.…”