Controlled processes are described as the processes that require the conscious attention or focus of the individual. Such processes require our deliberate or intentional effort to perform in a particular manner which is contrary to the automatic processing which doesn't require any such effort but instead an individual performs it without realizing it consciously(as one has been doing it for a long time).
In the given situation, Frank is engaged in his phone and therefore, could not think or pay attention(deliberately) to 'hear the doorbell'. He could not pay the focus that was required and thus, misses out to hear it. Therefore, '<u>controlled processes'</u> is the answer.
I'd consider this a "book smarts" vs. "street smarts" scenario, pretty literally with the idea of not knowing what subway to take. Nothing in the passage shows she isn't confident in her abilities or has any sort of dependence on her daughter, and it states very clearly many things she is able to do.
