The Forgetting Function: Mapping Out Prospective Memory and the Effect of Reminders Over Time

Abstract

This study aims to assess the behavior of Prospective Memory, remembering to act on something in the future, over a three week time period in a naturalistic setting in Nairobi, Kenya. By doing so, we were able to fit preexisting forgetting functions to the data, in order to create a mathematical model for Prospective Memory. Furthermore, we explored the effects of reminders on Prospective Memory performance and hypothesized that reminder technology would significantly increase individuals Prospective Memory performance. We find that the data is fit equally well by hyperbolic and exponential forgetting functions. We also find that reminders are significantly effective in increasing Prospective Memory performance. These results add to the field of memory by creating a mathematical model for Prospective Memory and hold strong implications for reminder technology usage.