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Research Articles

The Effects of Working Memory Resource Availability on Prospective Memory

A Formal Modeling Approach

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1027/1618-3169.52.4.243

Abstract. The PAM theory of event-based prospective memory (Smith, 2003; Smith & Bayen, 2004a) proposes that successful prospective memory performance demands upon the interaction of preparatory attentional processes and retrospective memory processes. The two experiments in the current study represent the first application of a formal model to investigate the sensitivity of these underlying processes to variations in working memory resource availability. Multinomial modeling of data from prospective-memory tasks showed that working memory span influenced preparatory attentional processes and retrospective-memory processes.

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