AFFORDANCE
Charles François (2004). AFFORDANCE, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 56.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 56 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
The kinds of behavior the environment allows to a living system.
This concept is introduced by J.J. GIBSON (1986, p.36-37). A typical example is as follows: “A path affords pedestrian locomotion from one place to another, between the terrain features that prevent locomotion… (as) obstacles, barriers, water margins, and brinks (the edges of cliffs)” (p.36).
Affordance defines thus the tolerance limits of constraints. According to GIBSON, the concept derives from K. LEWIN's Aufforderungscharakter (i.e. invitation character).
Affordance is obviously related to the competence of the user of the environment, who has to learn which behavior is affordable in different circumstances.