Which term best describes methods that people use to make sense of experiences through memory categorizations?

The term that best describes methods that people use to make sense of experiences through memory categorizations is "schema processing." A schema refers to a cognitive framework or mental structure that helps individuals organize and interpret information based on previous experiences. Schemas allow people to categorize new experiences, providing a way to make sense of the world by setting up expectations and guiding how information is processed.

This process involves using existing knowledge and experiences to guide understanding, which plays a crucial role in memory recall and interpretation of new situations. Thus, referring to it as schema processing aligns closely with the definition of how people categorize and make sense of their experiences.

While "mental representations" and "symbolic representations" involve cognitive models of knowledge, they do not specifically emphasize the categorization aspect related to experiences in the way that schema processing does. "Cognitive frameworks" is somewhat related but doesn't capture the specific focus on categorization inherent in schemas.