The Three-Stage Memory Model¶
Run the Three-Stage Memory Model Fullscreen Edit Using the p5.js Editor
About This MicroSim¶
A left-to-right flow diagram showing the Atkinson-Shiffrin three-stage memory model. Sensory Memory (a funnel shape representing its vast but fleeting capacity) feeds into Working Memory through attention, which connects to Long-Term Memory through encoding and retrieval arrows.
In Explore mode, hover each stage to see its capacity, duration, example content, and the mechanism that moves information to the next stage. Press Send Info to animate a glowing particle flowing from sensory through working to long-term memory.
In Quiz mode, a memory fact appears and you click the matching stage. Test whether you can identify which stage holds four chunks, which lasts fractions of a second, and which stores knowledge for a lifetime.
A duration comparison bar at the bottom shows the dramatic differences in how long each stage retains information.
Learning Objective (Understand): Given a memory property, identify which of the three stages it describes.