Forming a new prospective memory intention can reduce prospective memory commission errors

This study investigated the effect of adding a new prospective memory (PM) intention after completing a PM task on commission errors. Three groups were compared: a new PM group (performing a new PM task after completing the initial task), a non-new PM group (performing only the ongoing task after completion), and an implementation intention group (using an "if-then" strategy for the new PM task). Results showed that the commission error rate was highest in the non-new PM group, followed by the new PM group, and lowest in the implementation intention group. These findings suggest that forming a new PM intention, particularly with an implementation intention strategy, reduces commission errors.

Yunfei Guo, Jiaqun Gan, Yongxin Li