Summary: Affordance theory states that the world is perceived not only in terms of object shapes and spatial relationships but also in terms of object possibilities for action (affordances) — perception drives action.
Originators: J. J. Gibson (1904-1979)
Keywords: Affordances, direct perception, ecological
Affordance Theory (J. J. Gibson)
American psychologist James Jerome Gibson was influential in changing the way we consider visual perception. According to his theory, perception of the environment inevitably leads to some course of action[1][2]. Affordances, or clues in the environment that indicate possibilities for action, are perceived in a direct, immediate way with no sensory processing. Examples include: buttons for pushing, knobs for turning, handles for pulling, levers for sliding, etc.
Based upon Gestalt theories, Affordance Theory has various implications for design, human-computer interaction, ergonomics, visualization, etc. Some believe that good design makes affordances explicit.
For more information, see:
- Don Norman’s book: The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition
. An updated classic, with basic rules of design explained like: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. Good examples of affordance theory.
- Schlatter and Levinson’s book: Visual Usability: Principles and Practices for Designing Digital Applications
. A practical, hands-on guide to visual design. Highly recommended for its clarity and relevant examples.
References
- Gibson, J. J. (1966). The senses considered as perceptual systems.
- Gibson, J. J. (1950). The perception of the visual world.
