Theory of mind and switching predict prospective memory performance in adolescents

Mareike Altgassen; Nora C Vetter; Louise H Phillips; Canan Akgün; Matthias Kliegel

doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2014.03.009

Theory of mind and switching predict prospective memory performance in adolescents

J Exp Child Psychol. 2014 Nov:127:163-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jecp.2014.03.009. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Authors

Mareike Altgassen¹, Nora C Vetter², Louise H Phillips³, Canan Akgün⁴, Matthias Kliegel⁵

Affiliations

¹ Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: a.altgassen@donders.ru.nl.
² Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
³ School of Psychology, Aberdeen University, Kings College, Old Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK.
⁴ Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
⁵ Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.

PMID: 24933705
DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2014.03.009

Abstract

Research indicates ongoing development of prospective memory as well as theory of mind and executive functions across late childhood and adolescence. However, so far the interplay of these processes has not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate whether theory of mind and executive control processes (specifically updating, switching, and inhibition) predict prospective memory development across adolescence. In total, 42 adolescents and 41 young adults participated in this study. Young adults outperformed adolescents on tasks of prospective memory, theory of mind, and executive functions. Switching and theory of mind predicted prospective memory performance in adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescence; Executive functions; Inhibition; Prospective memory; Switching; Theory of mind; Updating.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Age Factors
Executive Function
Female
Humans
Inhibition, Psychological
Male
Memory, Episodic*
Psychological Tests
Task Performance and Analysis
Theory of Mind*
Young Adult