Implementation intentions forge a strong cue-response link and boost prospective memory performance

Prospective memory (PM) performance (i.e., remembering to perform intentions) is often in the service of higher goals and thus could be improved through better self-regulation. We examined the effectiveness of three self-regulatory strategies in a laboratory event-based PM task: implementation intention (i.e., planning in an if/when-then format), rehearsal (i.e., planning not in an if/when-then format) and upward counterfactual ("if only..." thoughts about a past performance). The cue and response mentioned in all three strategies were held constant, such that only format and timing (past vs. future orientation) of the strategy varied. Results indicated that the implementation intention strategy strengthened the cue-response link and improved PM performance over baseline, relative to a control condition. Neither rehearsal nor counterfactual strategies had significant benefits, relative to a control condition. These findings suggest that the if/when-then plan format of implementation intentions may be a critical feature of their effectiveness in retrieving and executing intentions.