Prospective Memory: Characteristics And Associated Mental Processes
What would we do without memory? Memory shapes our life history and is part of our identity. It is true that when they talk to us about memory, we tend to think about the past. However, there is another type of future-oriented memory: prospective memory
This type of memory allows us to store plans and intentions for the future. For example, it allows me to remember what I should do tomorrow, plan the day and carry out the planned plans. In this article we will learn what this type of “future” memory consists of, its components and what it is for.
Memory is a function of the brain that allows us to use information from our environment (and inside us) in various ways: allows us to encrypt it, store it and retrieve it According to some theories, memory arises from the repetitive synaptic connections that are formed between our neurons, thus creating neural networks.
Memory is very important for our identity, because it largely defines who we are; Furthermore, it is a function that we use constantly, in practically all our daily facets.
However, memory not only consists of knowing and remembering things from the past, but it also allows us to store plans and intentions in our brain that are oriented to the future. Two authors, Kvavilashvili and Ellis, in 1996, gave a name to this type of memory: it is prospective memory.
They defined it as “the memory of doing something at a specific time in the future and the execution of the previously formulated plan.” That is includes two components: one more theoretical (remember) and another more practical (execute the planned plan)
Models
Taxonomic models consider prospective memory as a part of episodic or autobiographical memory; The latter, in turn, is considered to be also divided into retrospective memory (oriented to the past), along with prospective memory (oriented to the future).
According to these models, autobiographical memory makes us aware of our past, and prepares us to act in the future They consider this an important evolutionary advance, since the information about what we have experienced is fundamental for self-awareness.
Self-awareness includes a unique, personal and own past, and a future that is also our own, which makes us identify or not with what we are experiencing and remembering.
What is this memory for?
At a cognitive and experiential level, we have already seen how memory plays an essential role in all of us. Specifically, prospective memory also plays a fundamental role in our cognition, since it allows us to function effectively. when planning and developing activities of daily living
When we include certain new activities or actions in our daily life (non-routine actions), we do this thanks to previous intentions. These intentions require control and planning to carry out the actions we want to carry out, and this is achieved thanks to prospective memory and the different executive functions.
Components
Some authors have tried to analyze the components that make up prospective memory, with the aim of facilitating its evaluation. Some of them are:
Its about necessary and specific knowledge to carry out the action
2. Planning
Formulating the plan is essential to facilitate the implementation of the action.
3. Monitoring
Follow the process we want to carry out step by step.
4. Memory content
Remember the content of the action to be carried out.
5. Compliance
We must agree to perform the action.
6. Checking the result
Is about also monitor the final result that is, checking if we have met previous expectations of results, following the formulated plans.
The role of retrospective memory
Prospective memory tasks also have a retrospective (past-oriented) memory component. Let’s think about an example to illustrate this: we can forget to give a message to our father when we see him, because we have forgotten the intention to do so (prospective memory) or because we cannot remember what we had to say to him (retrospective memory).
In this way, prospective memory would include subprocesses such as record of intention, maintenance of information, execution of intention and evaluation of goal
Relationship with executive functions
It has been shown in some works that prospective memory has a certain relationship with executive functions. Executive functions allow us to organize, plan, review and evaluate the behaviors necessary to adapt effectively to the environment; Furthermore, they are a guide that allows us to achieve goals.
This relationship refers to the fact that prospective memory requires executive control processes to function; Let’s imagine that I have to call the dentist at 12 to make an appointment. I’m more likely to remember to call if I get a toothache at 11. Therefore, if the system receives continuous information regarding what we should do, this information will operate as a signal that will update the system to make it more effective.
Thus, executive functions are of great importance, since they allow the person to constantly review and evaluate information to “update” what is happening to them, and this allows them to easily remember what they should do. That is, this mental “checkup” has a lot to do with both concepts: prospective memory and executive functions (since it allows us to assess what the person has done and what remains to be done).
