Affordance as context

Abstract

The concept of affordance is relatively easy to define, but has proved to be remarkably difficult to engineer. This paradox has sparked numerous debates as to its true nature. The discussion presented here begins with a review of the use of the term from which emerges evidence for a two-fold classification-simple affordance and complex affordance. Simple affordance corresponds to Gibson's original formulation, while complex affordances embody such things as history and practice. In trying to account for complex affordance, two contrasting, but complementary philosophical treatments are considered. The first of these is Ilyenkov's account of significances which he claims are 'ideal' phenomena. Ideal phenomena occupy are objective characteristics of things and are the product of human purposive activity. This makes them objective, but not independent (of any particular mind or perception) hence their similarity to affordances.The second perspective is Heidegger's phenomenological treatment of 'familiarity' and 'equipment'. As will be seen, Heidegger has argued that familiarity underpins our ability to cope in the world. A world, in turn, which itself comprises the totality of equipment. We cope by making use of equipment. Despite the different philosophical traditions both Ilyenkov and Heidegger have independently concluded that a thing is identified by its use and that use, in turn, is revealed by way of its affordances/significances. Finally, both authors-Heidegger directly and Ilyenkov indirectlyequate context and use, leading to the conclusion that affordance and context are one and the same. q

Participatory ergonomics simulation of hospital work systems: The influence of simulation media on simulation outcome

“…This gave in-depth understanding into the influence of simulation media on ergonomics identification and evaluation of these eight events. This in-depth understanding is obtained within the boundaries of the two case studies, which in some degree limits the generalizability (Thomas, 2011). However, findings of common patterns between cases are argued to be strengthened when the cases vary in maximum degree (Flyvbjerg, 2006;Neergaard, 2010).…”

“…These naturally occurring simulation activities provided a unique opportunity for studying, how the fidelity and affordance of these two types of simulation media may influence the ability to identify and evaluate ergonomics conditions. We approached the simulation activities of the two hospital design projects as two case studies, each constituting of four simulation events viewed as nested units of analysis (Thomas, 2011). The simulation activities in both cases had the purpose of providing input to the engineers and architects, who designed the new hospital buildings during complex design processes.…”

“…The media attributes indicated are the ability of the media to represent the reality (Hallbeck et al, 2010;Steinfeld, 2004;Watkins et al, 2008) and the possible actions the media support (Broberg et al, 2011;Steinfeld, 2004). Within the interaction design field, these attributes are recognized as fidelity (Hall, 2001;Lim et al, 2008) and affordance (Norman, 2002;Turner, 2005). Fidelity may be defined as "the level of detail or sophistication of what is manifested" (Lim et al, 2008).…”

Collaborative Affordances of Medical Records

“…In their experimental study Oshlyansky et al (2004) showed clear cultural differences in how basic physical affordances (like a light switch) are perceived differently in different countries, leading to a breakdown of the affordance. This relationship between affordances and the context in which they are perceived are underlined by the theoretical examination of Turner (2005), who states that Bfrom a holistic or phenomenological perspective, affordance, use and context are one^. A concrete, yet conceptual, example of social affordances is the 10 'Motivation Affordances' by Zhang (2008), that describe how learning can be facilitated through a number of social, psychological and emotional affordances.…”

“…These extensions of the classic affordance concept (Norman 1988) into social affordances (Bradner et al 1999;Kreijns and Kirschner 2001;Turner 2005) indicate a need to provide more precise distinctions between physical or perceived affordances, and the social effect of those affordances. Although reconceptualizations of the affordance concept into broader Technology Affordances, that enable mediated actions (Kaptelinin and Nardi 2012), provides new insights and analytical possibilities, we subscribe to the proposition of McGrenere and Ho (2000) that we can solidify and extend the existing affordances concept.…”