Which process involves transferring information from short-term to long-term memory by connecting it to prior knowledge?

The process of transferring information from short-term to long-term memory by connecting it to prior knowledge is known as encoding. This involves taking new information and integrating it with existing knowledge, thus enhancing the likelihood of retaining that information for future use. When learners make connections between what they already know and new concepts, they create a stronger memory trace, which facilitates more effective recall later on.

Encoding can involve various strategies, such as elaboration, organization, and visualization, all aimed at reinforcing the material to be remembered. It plays a critical role in effective learning and memory retention, as it directly impacts how well the information is stored and later retrieved.

While other options like perception, retrieval, and automaticity play important roles in the overall learning process, they don't specifically focus on the process of integrating new information with prior knowledge to promote long-term retention. Perception relates to how we interpret sensory information, retrieval involves accessing stored information, and automaticity refers to the ability to perform tasks with little conscious effort, all of which are important but do not specifically address the encoding process.