Trait impulsivity and prospective memory abilities: An exploratory study

• Prospective memory and impulsivity may both reflect executive control.
• Self reported prospective memory problems and impulsivity were related.
• Behavioral prospective memory measures were not related to impulsivity.

Both impulsivity and prospective memory may be related to executive functioning. This study was the first to examine if prospective memory is related to trait impulsivity. Seventy-eight undergraduate students completed one self-report and two laboratory measures of prospective memory, as well as the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. Higher levels of trait impulsivity were not significantly associated with prospective memory task performance; however, impulsivity was related to self-report of prospective memory problems. Individuals with relatively worse prospective memory appeared to rely on a clock-checking tactic to improve task performance. Such compensatory behaviors may be effectively deployed over short periods by people with chronic prospective memory problems when such memory abilities are made salient, but may be difficult to maintain in day-to-day life.