Checking-in on the memory deficit and meta-memory deficit theories of compulsive checking

Abstract

The memory deficit theory and meta-memory deficit theory provide intuitive accounts for checking compulsions. According to these theories, deficits in memory and/or a lack of confidence in memory contribute to the compulsion to check. Our goal was to examine whether, as predicted by the theories, memory deficits and/or meta-memory deficits are unique to individuals with checking compulsions as opposed to being common to all OCD patients. The review revealed that previous investigations of these theories have focused almost exclusively on retrospective memory. More importantly, results of the review revealed similar patterns of deficits in the retrospective memory performance and meta-memory scores of OCD checkers and OCD non-checkers, indicating that deficits in retrospective memory are not unique to checkers and therefore are unlikely to contribute to the compulsion to check. The review also features results of the few studies that have examined the theories in the context of prospective memory, and it provides the results of some supplementary analyses which show that checkers demonstrate unique memory and meta-memory deficits related to prospective memory. Together these results indicate that the memory deficit and meta-memory deficit theories should be re-conceptualized and further examined in the context of prospective memory.