Study On The Cognitive Mechanism For Time-based Prospective Memory

Humans not only know the past, based on now, and for the future. Prospective memory refers to a kind of memory task that the next appropriate time or situation to complete the previous formation of intention (planning, target). Which time-based prospective memory refers to performing the previous formed intentions in the right time in the future, event-based prospective memory refers to performing the previous formed intentions in the right situation in the future. Study on cognitive mechanism of time-based prospective memory would not only help further understand the nature of human memory, but also help through hold today to control future, increase the efficiency and quality of life.By reviewer for literature, we found past researches by comparison the prospective interference effect of ongoing task aroused by time-based prospective memory task and event-based prospective memory task to discussion this two kind of prospective memory hold on different cognitive processing mechanism, their research results often does not consistent; time-based prospective memory rely on self-initiated processing, but lack further research on which kind of cognitive resources self-initiated processing rely; four existing theories cannot reasonable explained existing of research results for time-based prospective memory. In response to these issues, this topic assumes that the interstimulus interval of two types of prospective memory tasks have different effects on prospective memory performing, which produce inconsistent results; self-initiated processing on which time-based prospective memory relies may involve different types of cognitive resources, motivation, personality and other factors; still need new models to explain the underlying cognitive mechanisms of time-based prospective memory in detail. Therefore, this topic trying to find those factors effect on two types of prospective memory tasks interference effect to explore the difference between two types of prospective memory tasks, which investigation time-based prospective memory by cognitive processing mechanisms, and try to propose a new theory model on these basis.This topic is composed of five studies. Study 1 includes 3 experiments, discussion how interstimulus interval effect on the comparison of prospective interference effects caused by performing the two types of prospective memory tasks. Experiment 1A follows previous research paradigm, using graphics tasks as ongoing task, comparing the prospective interference effect caused by performing two types of prospective memory tasks. Experiment 1B employs the same ongoing task and shortens the interstimulus interval; comparing the prospective interference effect caused by performing two types of prospective memory tasks. Experimental 1C employs the same ongoing tasks, further shortening the interstimulus interval. Study 2 includes 2 experiments; explore how the ongoing task difficulty effect on the comparison of prospective interference effect caused by two types of prospective memory task. Experiment 2A employs the same ongoing task and interstimulus interval of experiment 1B; two ongoing task difficulty levels is set to study the variability of prospective interference effect caused by two types of prospective memory task and other indicators under different difficulty levels of graphics tasks. Experimental 2B uses n-back task as ongoing task, also set two levels of difficulty to study the variability of prospective interference effect caused by two types of prospective memory task and other indicators under different conditions of working memory load. Study 3 includes an experiment to explore after the withdrawal of interstimulus interval, the variability of prospective interference effect of two types of prospective memory and other dependent variables. Experiment 3 employs the same ongoing tasks of experiment 1 just cancels the interstimulus interval, and another stimuli picture appears immediately reaction for the former stimuli picture. This experimental is compose of five task groups, including the control group, event-based prospective memory tasks group and three time-based prospective memory tasks groups with different difficulty. From the perspective of microcosmic, use subsection method to analysis ongoing task reaction time of various task groups during different time Windows to study attention resource allocation between two types of prospective memory tasks and different difficult time-based prospective memory tasks. Study 4 including a behavioral experiment, explore characteristics of cognitive processes for types of A/B personality while complete time-based prospective memory task. We focused analysis the prospective interference effect in time-based prospective memory and time monitoring mode of the A/B personality. Five is 1 ERP experiment, by comparing ERP waveform of the two types of prospective memory tasks, looking for electrophysiological evidence of differences between time-based prospective memory and event-based prospective memory. Ongoing task is calculated the sum for four numbers. Event-based prospective memory task is entered answers while encounter "?". The time-based prospective memory tasks is entered answers after 10s elapse from the numbers appeared. To prevent count or any other mental activity after the mental arithmetic is complete, interference task random display and require participants complete the task. Record behavioral and EEG data while participants completing the above tasks. Offline analysis of EEG data only focus on the trials there is no interference appears waveform superposition.Above series study results show:1). Interstimulus interval act as different role in the two types of prospective memory tasks. As the interstimulus interval shortened, observed even larger prospective interference effect caused by time-based prospective memory tasks than by event-based prospective memory. Confirmed on the assumptions that interstimulus interval length can affect the prospective interference effects, found the reason those lead the existed results confusing, and laying a foundation for subsequent studies. Preliminary reveals the difference processing mechanism between time-based prospective memory and event-based prospective memory tasks from one side.2). While length of interstimulus interval is appropriated, reaction time and accuracy of ongoing task have different sensitivity to the resource need by different types of prospective memory tasks. Prospective interference effects for the reaction time of ongoing task dependent on the difficulty of ongoing task. Correct rate of ongoing tasks can stability reflect prospective interference effect for time-based prospective memory across ongoing task types and the ongoing task difficulty.3). Ongoing tasks correct rate prospective interference effects existed stability in time-based prospective memory, mainly by updates working memory after checking the clock. Ongoing task correct rate reflects the needs of prospective memory tasks on working memory.4). In the process of completing the two types of prospective memory tasks, the processing that attention resources involved in could automate if the resources shorted; time-based prospective memory tasks, relying more on the processing mechanism supported by working memory resources than the event-based prospective memory tasks, that mechanism is a necessary condition to complete time-based prospective memory tasks and cannot be automated. Time-based prospective memory processing mechanism holds a more complex structure. From another side further revealed the time-based prospective memory and event-based prospective memory tasks processing mechanisms differ.5). Checking clock policies will affect the performance of time-based prospective memory. Content of time monitoring is key factors of success of the time-based prospective memory tasks.6). Clock checking effects on prospective interference effect in time-based prospective memory. In the process of prospective memory tasks, clock checking associated with updating to working memory and other cognitive processes such as attention redistribution.7). Cancel the interstimulus interval, at the micro level, prospective memory task difficulty has an impact on prospective interference effects. During interval of intention retention from the intention formation to prospective targets performance, prospective interference effect of ongoing task reaction time caused by time-based prospective memory and event-based prospective memory within differ time window are essential differences. While performing time-based prospective memory task, with the changing of distance reach to target time, attention resources involve to ongoing task are changed dynamic, while processing for event-based prospective memory tasks not showing such a characteristic.8). With high time urgency, type A personality has behavior tendency by efficient and politic monitor mode complete the time-based prospective memory tasks.9). Slow later component caused by two types of prospective memory tasks has significant differences. The brain mechanism of time-based prospective memory related primarily to late slow-wave amplitude.10). Attempts to put forward a dynamic attention control model to explain cognitive mechanism of time-based prospective memory, which interpretation reasonability the results of this project.New about this subject: 1). There are two new discoveries. The range of prospective interference effect caused by time-based prospective memory task during intention retention showing v-shaped variety in different time window; ongoing task correct rate interference effect reflect the demands of prospective memory to cognitive resources. This is not seen so far of documents.2). In theory, trying to make the dynamic attention control model to a more reasonable interpretation of the results of the project, which make up the defect of previous theories on explaining fuzzy cognitive mechanism of time-based prospective memory.3). On the method, two breakthroughs:developed short interval experimental paradigms that sensitive to prospective interference effect, eliminating the factors lead to previous experimental results confusing; according to the characteristics of time-based prospective memory tasks, with segmented analysis method to analysis of prospective interference effects from a microscopic perspective, from the behavioral differences found in the nature differ between two types of prospective memory.In short, this subject uses effective experimental paradigm and ERP technique, preliminary study of cognitive and neural mechanisms of time-based prospective memory. Time-based prospective memory is affected by multiple factors, this subject will research from the strategy, time perception, time personality, the development and brain areas, to more dimensions revealed the processing mechanism of time-based prospective memory.