Which two processes of memory are primarily under our control?

The correct answer is based on the understanding of memory processes that we can actively influence. Encoding refers to the process of transforming sensory input into a form that can be stored in memory. This is often under our control because we can choose how to process information, such as through strategies like imagery, organization, or semantic processing, enabling us to enhance our memory for that information.

Retrieval, on the other hand, is the process of accessing stored information when needed. This process is also influenced by our actions; we can employ various strategies to enhance retrieval, such as practicing recall or using cues to trigger memory. Although retrieval can sometimes be automatic, it often requires effort and can be guided by our strategies and intentions.

In contrast, storage is the process of maintaining information in memory over time, which is less under our direct control. While we can influence what gets encoded, the actual storage happens as a result of physiological processes in the brain that we cannot consciously dictate. Recall is a subset of retrieval that specifically pertains to bringing information to mind without cues, further emphasizing the active control we have in the retrieval process rather than the passive nature of storage.

Thus, the combination of encoding and retrieval as processes under our control highlights the proactive role we play in both initially