Final answer:
External sensory events are encoded into memory through a mental process that converts sensory input into a usable form for the brain's storage systems, involving sensory, short-term, and long-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
External sensory events enter memory through encoding, which is the set of mental operations we use to convert information into a form that is usable in the brain's storage system. Encoding is a critical first step in creating new memories, encompassing the processes by which information from the outside world is taken in, processed, and prepared for storage in the brain. Sensory information is captured by our senses and briefly held in sensory memory, where it is subjected to attention and perception.
Important or noticed stimuli are then transferred into short-term memory (STM), where they can be manipulated and considered. With effort and repeated attention, such as through rehearsal, information may move from short-term memory into long-term memory (LTM) for more permanent storage. There are multiple forms of encoding, including visual encoding for images, which plays a role in how effectively memories are created.