Ball, H;
Peper, P;
Alakbarova, D;
Brewer, G;
Gilbert, SJ;
(2021)
Individual differences in working memory capacity predict benefits to memory from intention offloading.
Memory
10.1080/09658211.2021.1991380.
(In press).
![]() |
Text
0. PM Off - Manuscript.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 20 October 2022. Download (2MB) |
Abstract
Research suggests that individuals with lower working memory have difficulty remembering to fulfil delayed intentions. The current study examined whether the ability to offload intentions onto the environment mitigated these deficits. Participants (N = 268) completed three versions of a delayed intention task with and without the use of reminders, along with three measures of working memory capacity. Results showed that individuals with higher working memory fulfilled more intentions when having to rely on their own memory, but this difference was eliminated when offloading was permitted. Individuals with lower working memory chose to offload more often, suggesting that they were less willing to engage in effortful maintenance of internal representations when given the option. Working memory was not associated with metacognitive confidence or optimal offloading choices based on point value. These findings suggest offloading may help circumvent capacity limitations associated with maintaining and remembering delayed intentions.
Type: | Article |
---|---|
Title: | Individual differences in working memory capacity predict benefits to memory from intention offloading |
DOI: | 10.1080/09658211.2021.1991380 |
Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2021.1991380 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
Keywords: | Social Sciences, Psychology, Experimental, Psychology, Prospective memory, offloading, reminders, working memory, individual differences, DELAYED INTENTIONS, COMPENSATORY ROLE, AGE-DIFFERENCES, TERM-MEMORY, TASK, ATTENTION, REMINDERS, METACOGNITION, PERFORMANCE, AVOIDANCE |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10138172 |
Archive Staff Only
![]() |
View Item |