During what stage do individuals process information to make sense of it?

The correct choice is phonetic encoding, which refers to the process of encoding information based on its sound, allowing individuals to make sense of verbal information. This form of encoding focuses on the auditory characteristics of stimuli, which can aid in understanding and recalling the information.

Phonetic encoding plays a key role in how we remember spoken words or sounds, linking the auditory input to our cognitive structures and facilitating comprehension. The function of phonetic encoding goes beyond mere retention; it is integral in the processing stage because it converts sound into a format that can be stored and later retrieved from memory.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of cognitive function. Retention describes the storage of information over time, attention involves focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others, and reproduction pertains to the ability to recall or recreate the information once it has been encoded. While all these processes are essential in the broader context of information processing, phonetic encoding specifically emphasizes the initial processing stage that helps individuals break down and understand the auditory components of the information presented.