Plan formation, retention, and execution in prospective memory: A new approach and age-related effects

Existing laboratory paradigms of prospective memory instruct subjects to re member to perform a single, isolated act at an appropriate point in the exp eriment. These paradigms do not completely capture many everyday complex pr ospective memory situations in which a series or set of delayed actions is planned to be executed in some subsequent period of time. We adapted a labo ratory paradigm within which to study these prospective memory processes, a nd we investigated age-related influences on these prospective memory proce sses. Age-related declines were found in the planning, initiation, and exec ution of the set of tasks. In contrast, there were no age differences in pl an retention or in the fidelity with which the plan was performed.