Affordances

“Affordance” is a term coined by psychologist JJ Gibson to describe how objects or environments can invite multiple kinds of appropriations that align or resonate with different user needs or requirements (Gibson, 1986). Gibson considers objects to hold certain ‘properties or qualities’, that include ‘color, texture, composition, size, shape and features of shape, mass, elasticity, rigidity, and mobility.’ (1986: 134).  But beyond these, he argues that specific objects or environments have what he terms “affordances”:  ones that ‘invite’ specific interactions or behaviors. Thus, a cup ‘affords’ or ‘invites’ grasping.

The choice of how an afforded state manifests is, however, contingent upon the kinds of  relationships activated in a given situation. Accordingly, while a cup possesses the physical property of a handle, this feature enters into a distinct relationship when another agent (in the form of a person’s hand), encounters it. The shape of the handle and the shape of the hand hold a resonance with one another, such that the handle may be thought of as ‘inviting’ or 'cueing' the hand for a given action: grasping. Other, non-human entities might enter into different relationships with the cup’s handle, each according to their needs. Thus, for an Ant the handle might not afford grasping, but instead crawling. Further, while a wide range of objects might be capable of being ‘grasped’– the blade end of a knife, for example - such grasping is neither invited nor afforded. The distinction is thus in terms of the extent to which a given object offers ‘cues’ or ‘prompts’ in ways that can be seen as invitations. For Gibson, physical environments are thus conceived of as niches that invite actions suitable for different living entities, who then ‘draw forth’ affordances seen as relevant. Different environments thereby ‘provide or furnish’ something with which to achieve a given goal (Gibson, 1986: 129). 

Affordances and Phase Space share common features. Each position material entities as holding capacities that are virtual and contingent -  activated and manifested only under particular circumstances that draw them forth.  Affordances are never completely open, never entirely plastic – similar to phase space, they offer meaningful constraints to what can and cannot occur - what the action possibilities are in a given context.  The way in which these action possibilities come to actualize or manifest, is subject to the contingent forces that are presented.

See Also: Erik & Ronald Rietveld