Memory for future actions: the effect of prospective memory on an explicit and implicit memory task.

Introduction: In the field of retrospective memory, an explicit and implicit memory are known to exist. This study analyses the effect of the prospective memory on a recognition task and a lexical decision task.

Method: In experiment 1 (n = 78, of which 39 belonged to the experimental group and 39 belonged to the control group), a recognition task was followed by an intentional task, as well as an incidental free recall task. In experiment 2 (n = 74, of which 37 belonged to the experimental group and 37 belonged to the control group), repetition priming was studied during a lexical decision task, followed by an intentional task. The data were analysed using a mixed ANOVA.

Results: Experiment 1 showed active monitoring of the prospective memory task accompanied by a recollective search process during the recognition task. The group which carried out the prospective task also showed better scores in the incidental free recall task. Experiment 2 showed active monitoring and repetition priming during the lexical decision task.

Conclusion: While the prospective memory affects the performance in both concurrent tasks, it does not affect the recollective search process or repetition priming.