Prospective Memory

1. Implementation
Intentions

2. An implementation intention is a
prospective memory strategy in the
form of an “if-then” plan.
More specifically, “If or when
[scenario x] arises, then I will
[perform task y]”
For example:
“If it is 5pm, then I will put the
casserole in the oven”

3. Therefore, when the specific
situation happens, the
intended task is automatically
activated in your mind and
becomes easier to remember.
How does it work?
Formulating implementation intentions about
your tasks and appointments creates an
association with the situation or context (the
“if” part) and the intended task (the “then”
part).

4. …and does it work?
• When this strategy has been applied by older
adults in prospective memory studies, the
results have shown improved performance on
tasks to be remembered.
• A study by Zimmerman and Meier (2010)
concluded that implementation intentions are
particularly useful for older adults, compared
to younger adults.

5. What makes it effective?
There are two main theories for why
Implementation Intentions work.
The first one is that it helps improve the
encoding (that is, the process of committing to
memory) of the task we need to remember. If
the task is well encoded, automatically
remembering the task when the relevant
situation (cue) occurs becomes more likely.
The second one is that it makes the task
seem more important and improves
awareness of the relevant cues in our
environment.

6. When to use Implementation
Intentions
• Implementation intentions are useful for
focal, event-based tasks.
– i.e. If I see Joe today, then I will lend him my
toolbox.
• They are also useful for non-focal, time-based
tasks.
– i.e. When it is 7:00 pm, then I will go to the gym
for the pilates class.
Keep in mind that it’s really important for the “if”
part to come before the “then” part! In other words,
the cue comes first, and the task comes second in
your implementation intention statement.

7. …Let’s look at an example of how it’s
done!
George has been diagnosed with hypertension. His doctor
tells him that he should monitor his blood pressure
regularly at home. George uses implementation
intentions to help himself remember to monitor his blood
pressure.
He starts by noting specific times when he could monitor
his blood pressure, where it will take place, and how he
will do it
He writes down this information in the form of an implementation intention:
“If I am in the living room next week from Monday to Friday at 8am, 12pm,
and 6pm, then I will check my blood pressure with the blood pressure
monitor”
and then reads this statement aloud to himself.
Finally, George mentally visualises himself performing his intention.

8. Questions
Now you will be asked 3 questions about implementation
intentions and you will need to choose the right response
from the options given.
Write down the option you’ve selected in the notepad
provided to you for the study, like so:
Implementation Intentions
Question 1 - A
Question 2 - A
Question 3 - A

9. Question 1
An Implementation Intention is:
A. A strategy for keeping track of time
B. An “if…, then…” statement
C. A prospective memory strategy
D. Both B. and C.

10. Question 2
Luna has an infection and needs to take a course of
antibiotics for the next week. She has been told to
take her antibiotics during lunch and dinner every
day. She has to take 2 pills each time. Which option
is the correct Implementation Intention for Luna?
A. “I’m going to take my antibiotics with lunch and
dinner” and visualises herself doing this
B. “If I am having lunch or dinner, then I will take 2
antibiotic pills” and visualises herself doing this
C. “If I am having antibiotics, it will be at lunch time
and dinner time” and reads this aloud 5 times

11. Question 3
Which of the following statements about
implementation intentions is NOT correct?
A. Implementation Intentions is about creating
an association with a situation and a task.
B. When the situation (the “if” part) occurs, it
triggers the memory of the task (the “then”
part) which needs to be performed.
C. Research shows that implementation
intentions are more useful for younger
people than older people.

12. See next slide for answers.

13. Answers
Did you get the answers right?
• Question 1 – D
• Question 2 – B
• Question 3 – C
If you did, well done. You understand the material
and you are ready to move on to the next slide.
If not, please go back and read over the slides again
to fill in the gaps in your understanding 

14. Now you try!
Think about a task that you will need to complete
tomorrow.
Please write down in your notepad:
• When and where you need to perform this task
• How you will perform the task
Now write an “If …, then …” implementation
intention about your task in your notepad
Finally, visualise yourself performing the task

15. One down…
Now that you have made one implementation
intention for tomorrow, think about 3 more
tasks or appointments that you will be doing this
week that may benefit from implementation
intentions.
Create three more implementation intentions,
just like the previous slide explains.
(Don’t forget to write them down in your
notepad! You will need them for next week’s
tutorial.)

16. Last week’s homework
You were asked to create 4 implementation
intentions for yourself last week.
Please write down in your notepad:
• If you made all 4 implementation intentions or
not.
• If you remembered to complete all 4 tasks or
not. If not all, how many were completed?
• If you found the implementation intentions
strategy useful and effective? Why/why not?