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Prospective memory
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<p>Prospective memory is a form of memory that involves remembering to perform a <a href="/facts/Planning/ckzCp5tv">planned</a> action or recall a planned intention at some future point in time. Prospective memory tasks are common in daily life and range from the relatively simple to extreme life-or-death situations. Examples of simple tasks include remembering to put the <a href="/facts/Toothpaste/PMTIQxtj">toothpaste</a> cap back on, remembering to reply to an <a href="/facts/Email/6pD9GLtI">email</a>, or remembering to return a rented <a href="/facts/Movie/wM3b9Kk3">movie</a>. Examples of highly important situations include a patient remembering to take <a href="/facts/Medication/h9mhwWP2">medication</a> or a <a href="/facts/Aviator/SJaN1UAJ">pilot</a> remembering to perform specific safety procedures during a flight. </p><p>In contrast to prospective memory, <a href="/facts/Retrospective_memory/o6jppTpV">retrospective memory</a> involves remembering <a href="/facts/People/AsSDLHfU">people</a>, events, or <a href="/facts/Words/JzXV6kWh">words</a> that have been encountered in the past. Whereas retrospective memory requires only the recall of past events, prospective memory requires the exercise of retrospective memory at a time that has not yet occurred. Prospective memory is thus considered a form of "memory of the future". </p><p>Retrospective memory involves the memory of what we know, containing informational content; prospective memory focuses on when to act, rather than focusing on informational content. There is some evidence demonstrating the role of retrospective memory in the successful execution of prospective memory, but this role seems to be relatively small. </p>