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Prospective Memory

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

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Synonyms

Realization of delayed intentions; Remembering to remember

Definition

Prospective memory refers to a person’s ability to remember to carry out intended actions or do things in the future. This is in contrast to retrospective memory, the ability to recall or recognize previously learned materials. It is considered by some as an oxymoron because the terms “prospective” and “memory” are combined to form a construct. Some examples of prospective memory include remembering to turn up for a medical or psychological appointment and remembering to pay a bill before its due date.

Historical Background

The study of prospective memory can be traced back to the everyday memory branch of memory research (the other branch is experimental or laboratory memory). Although a number of pioneers of psychology (e.g., Freud, 1901) have raised the idea of remembering to carry out intentions, prospective memory research has been overshadowed by experimental psychologists who focused on the study of...

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References and Readings

  • Brandimonte, M., Einstein, G. O., & McDaniel, M. A. (1996). Prospective memory: Theory and applications. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

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  • Ellis, J. (1996). Prospective memory or the realization of delayed intentions: A conceptual framework for research. In M. Brandimonte, G. O. Einstein, & M. A. McDaniel (Eds.), Prospective memory: Theory and applications (pp. 1–22). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

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  • Freud, S. (1901). The psychopathology of everyday life. New York: W. W. Norton.

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  • Kliegel, M., Jäger, T., Altgassen, M., & Shum, D. (2008). Clinical neuropsychology of prospective memory. In M. Kliegel, M. A. McDaniel, & G. O. Einstein (Eds.), Prospective memory: Cognitive, neuroscience, developmental, and applied perspective (pp. 283–308). New York: Erlbaum.

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  • McDaniel, M. A., & Einstein, G. O. (2007). Prospective memory: An overview and synthesis of an emerging field. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

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  • Raskin (2004). Memory for Intention Screening Test (Abstract). Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 10(Suppl. 1), 110.

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  • Thöne-Otto, A. I. T., & Walther, K. (2008). Assessment and treatment of prospective memory disorders in clinical practice. In M. Kliegel, M. A. McDaniel, & G. O. Einstein (Eds.), Prospective memory: Cognitive, neuroscience, developmental, and applied perspective (pp. 321–345). New York: Erlbaum.

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  • Wilson, B. A., Emslie, H., Foley, J., Shiel, A., Watson, P., Hawkins, K., et al. (2005). Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT): Manual. London: Harcourt Assessment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Griffith University, School of Psychology, Mt Gravatt Campus Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    David Ho Keung Shum

  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Jennifer Fleming

Authors
  1. David Ho Keung Shum
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  2. Jennifer Fleming
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Professor of Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry Virginia Commonwealth University – Medical Center Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VCU, 980542, Richmond, Virginia, 23298-0542, USA

    Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  2. Kessler Foundation Research Center, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, 07052, USA

    John DeLuca

  3. Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School, New Jersey, USA

    John DeLuca

  4. Independent Practice, 564 M.O.B. East, 100 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA

    Bruce Caplan

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Shum, D.H.K., Fleming, J. (2011). Prospective Memory. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1144

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1144

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-79947-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79948-3

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