What term describes the process in which stimulus is given meaning in the brain based on past experiences, motives, values, and context?

The correct answer is interpretation. This term specifically refers to how individuals assign meaning to stimuli based on their unique experiences, motives, values, and the context in which the stimuli are presented. Interpretation involves not just recognizing a stimulus, but also framing it within the larger context of one's past experiences and cognitive frameworks.

For instance, when you see a car driving towards you, your interpretation of that situation is influenced by your past experiences with cars, your understanding of traffic rules, and your personal feelings about driving. This is what distinguishes interpretation from mere perception, which is the process of becoming aware of and identifying stimuli without the deeper layering of meaning.

While cognition involves more comprehensive mental processes such as thinking, knowing, problem-solving, and learning, and association deals primarily with the connections made between stimuli and responses, interpretation focuses on meaning-making in response to stimuli within a specific context. This nuanced understanding of meaning is crucial for effective communication and interaction with the world around us.