“I used to have a good memory…” I hear this quite often. Most people seem to have quite a high estimation of their past ability to recall things than they are able to remember presently. But as I like to note, there are different types of memory and one thing I have noticed is that, as time goes by (cue violins) my ability to recognise things trumps my ability to recall. All in all, I think this results from an attentional issue and the depth (or lack of) at which I am processing information. I’m sure there’s a more thorough explanation of this, involving neural networks or something that requires further illustration by a complex graph.
So there are different types of memory, yes, this is a commonly known factoid. But memory can also be classified by temporal direction. Just as it is possible to have anterograde and retrograde amnesia, (the inability to create new memories or the loss of past memories respectively) we also have two distinct categories of memory content. The things we remember from the past, retrospective memory (semantic, episodic, autobiographical and arguably implicit physical memories too), or the content to be remembered in the future, prospective memory.
From the authority of all fast facts- Wikipedia –
“In contrast, prospective memory is memory for future intentions, or remembering to remember (Winograd, 1988). Prospective memory can be further broken down into event- and time-based prospective remembering.
Time-based prospective memories are triggered by a time-cue, such as going to the doctor (action) at 4pm (cue). Event-based prospective memories are intentions triggered by cues, such as remembering to post a letter (action) after seeing a mailbox (cue). Cues do not need to be related to the action (as the mailbox example is), and lists, sticky-notes, knotted handkerchiefs, or string around the finger are all examples of cues that are produced by people as a strategy to enhance prospective memory.”
I’m sure I have read about these different terms before (wasn’t that Psyc101?). But every time I try and explain to people my increasing difficulty in remembering to remember, most people just look at me as though I’m nuts. I was offered the term ‘transactional’ memory but I think that’s an IT hardware term that may apply if you are of the ‘mind is computer capable of parallel processing’ belief. I don’t know.
Whatever memory system my computer works on seems a lot more efficient than mine. Thus far, everyday I have been updating the minutiae of tasks and appointments in excruciating detail with the “Add SMS/Pop-Up/Email Reminder” on my Google Calendar and this has been doing an excellent job of keeping me on time (relatively speaking). There’s little spontaneity with this system but at least the specific cues are being registered.
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