The effects of embodied importance on prospective memory

The current experiment investigates the connection between prospective memory and embodied cognition. Prospective memory is the ability to remember to perform an action in the future in response to an event in the environment, at a later clock time or after monitoring the elapsing of a certain amount of time. Embodied cognition refers to the impact sensorimotor information, through perception and physical interactions with the environment, has on cognitive processes. This experiment investigates the possible influence of embodied importance on prospective memory. Prior research has shown that perceived importance of the prospective memory task can improve prospective memory performance. Likewise, existing literature in embodied cognition suggests that the experience of holding more or less weight can influence the perceived importance of abstract concepts and concurrently performed tasks. The experiment provided information about whether effects of embodied cognition seen previously with other cognitive tasks will also appear for prospective tasks.