title: A characterization of individual differences in prospective memory monitoring using the Complex Ongoing Serial Task.
abstract: Prospective memory--remembering to retrieve and execute future goals--is essential to daily life. Prospective remembering is often achieved through effortful monitoring; however, potential individual differences in monitoring patterns have not been characterized. We propose 3 candidate models to characterize the individual differences present in prospective memory monitoring: attentional focus, secondary memory retrieval, and information thresholding. Two experiments using a novel paradigm, the Complex Ongoing Serial Task (COST), investigated the resource allocation patterns underlying individual differences in monitoring. Individuals exhibited differential resource allocation patterns, and the differences remained relatively stable across experimental sessions. Resource allocation patterns associated with information thresholding (high prospective memory, preserved ongoing task performance) and attentional focus (high prospective memory, inefficient ongoing task performance) were superior to secondary memory retrieval (low prospective memory, very inefficient ongoing task performance). Importantly, personality (openness, prevention focus) and cognitive (primary, working, and secondary memory) individual differences influenced monitoring patterns. This research represents the first explicit attempt to elucidate individual differences in prospective memory monitoring patterns.
authors: Department of Psychology.
authors: Adam C
authors: AC
authors: Savine
authors: Department of Psychology.
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: McDaniel
authors: Department of Psychology.
authors: Jill Talley
authors: JT
authors: Shelton
authors: Department of Psychology.
authors: Michael K
authors: MK
authors: Scullin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time; D055815:Young Adult