What memory term describes the cognitive processes that affect how well we store and retrieve memories?

The term that best describes the cognitive processes influencing how effectively we store and retrieve memories is metacognitive strategies. Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes. This includes the ability to monitor, control, and plan one’s cognitive activities related to learning and memory. When individuals employ metacognitive strategies, they engage in activities like self-testing, planning study sessions, and evaluating their understanding, which enhance their ability to encode and retrieve information effectively.

Other options, while related to cognition and memory, do not specifically focus on the processes that govern memory storage and retrieval. Memory theories generally refer to the frameworks or models that explain how memory works, rather than the self-regulatory processes involved. Cognitive flexibility pertains to the ability to adapt one’s thinking and behavior in response to new and changing information but does not directly address memory strategies. Kinetic memory is not a widely recognized term in psychology and does not relate to the cognitive processes involved in memory utilization.