Overview & Description:

Prospective memory refers to remembering to perform a planned action or intention at the appropriate time in the future. It involves recalling what needs to be done (the content) and when it needs to be done (the context).

Example:

Remembering to attend a scheduled doctor’s appointment at the correct date and time.

Implications:

This concept is vital for understanding cognitive functioning in various domains, including occupational and clinical psychology, especially among populations with memory impairments.

References:

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