What term describes mental activity that involves a conscious effort and control?

The term that describes mental activity involving conscious effort and control is best represented by deep encoding or deep processing. This form of processing involves engaging with information in a meaningful way, which requires active participation and thought. It contrasts with other types of processing, like shallow processing, where information is processed based on superficial characteristics, such as sound or structure, without deep engagement or understanding.

Deep processing fosters better retention and understanding of information because it often involves making connections to existing knowledge and applying critical thinking. This method of processing emphasizes the importance of cognitive engagement and elaboration in learning and memory retention, making it a key component of cognitive psychology.

Other options present different aspects of cognitive processing but do not encapsulate the conscious effort and control that deep processing involves. For instance, shallow processing lacks that depth of engagement and relies on less complex cognitive tasks. Automatic processing refers to tasks that can be performed with little or no conscious effort, often due to familiarity, while incidental learning pertains to acquiring knowledge without the intention to learn it actively. These distinctions highlight why deep encoding or processing is the correct term in this context.