Which cognitive phenomenon allows someone to understand that "it" in a sentence refers to a previously mentioned subject?

The correct answer is anaphoric inference, which refers to the cognitive process through which individuals are able to interpret pronouns or other referring expressions in the context of preceding text or speech. In the case of the word "it," anaphoric inference allows a reader or listener to connect this term back to a previously mentioned subject, thereby enhancing comprehension and cohesion within the discourse.

Anaphoric inference relies on the ability to maintain and manipulate previous information in memory, which is crucial for producing a coherent understanding of sentences and larger texts. This process depends on context and the relationships between entities presented in the narrative, enabling the listener or reader to infer meaning that is not explicitly stated.

In contrast, declarative memory involves the recall of facts and events but does not specifically address the relational interpretation of pronouns. Contextual cueing relates to learning and memory processes where context aids the retrieval of information, while generative memory focuses on the ability to create new information and ideas rather than connecting references within existing text.