Prospective memory
Prospective memory is defined as how we
remember to engage in an intended action at a
specific point in the future (e.g. remembering to
give a friend a message when we see her)6.
However, it has been characterized as ‘more than
just memory’7 and as ‘intimately related to human
planning and future-oriented behaviours’ (Ref. 8,
p. S132). Kliegel et al.
9 have conceptualized
prospective memory as involving three distinct
processes: (1) developing a plan, (2) remembering
the plan, and (3) remembering at some future point
to execute the plan.
The first of these processes has received little
attention in the prospective memory literature, yet
could be the component most intimately linked with
episodic future thinking. Episodic future thinking
might be particularly relevant to how we initially
choose, or develop, the mnemonic that will allow us
to remember our intended action in the future. For
instance, suppose I must remember to take my
medicine immediately upon returning home from
work today. I might therefore decide before I leave the
house in the morning to place my medicine bottl