In cognitive terminology, what does encoding refer to?

• A. Getting information into memory
• B. Retrieving information from memory
• C. Storing information for long-term use
• D. Rehearsing information to maintain it in working memory

Answer: (A)

Encoding is the process of turning incoming information into a mental representation that can be stored in memory. It’s about getting information into memory so that it can be kept and later retrieved. Retrieval is taking information back out of memory, storage refers to keeping the information over time, and rehearsing to maintain in working memory helps sustain or prepare the information but isn’t the act of forming the memory trace itself. So the best answer is getting information into memory.