What term describes the process of transforming sensory input into a format that can be stored in memory?

The process of transforming sensory input into a format that can be stored in memory is known as encoding. This is a crucial step in the memory formation process, as it involves converting external stimuli, such as sights and sounds, into a mental representation that the brain can use. Encoding can involve various methods, such as semantic encoding (where meaning is emphasized), visual encoding (where images are used), and acoustic encoding (where sound is focused on).

In contrast, maintenance rehearsal refers specifically to the repetition of information to keep it in short-term memory, but it does not actively transform or alter the format of that information for long-term storage. Retrospective memory involves recalling past events or information that has already been encoded, while priming refers to the phenomenon where exposure to one stimulus influences a response to another stimulus without conscious awareness. Thus, while these terms relate to memory, encoding specifically pertains to the initial transformation of sensory input into something that can be stored.