Lecture 5 Flashcards
What is Gibson’s definition of affordances?
Gibson defines affordances as “what the environment offers the animal, what it provides or furnishes, either for good or ill.” They exist independently of the observer and are objective.
How does Don Norman’s definition of affordances differ from Gibson’s?
Don Norman focuses on perceived affordances, stating they are properties of objects that indicate how the object can be used. They are perceivable by users and offer strong clues to their operations (e.g., knobs for turning, buttons for pressing).
What are the key similarities between affordances and mediation?
Both concepts are interaction-focused, emphasize the role of technologies, and suggest that human experiences and actions are shaped by external factors.
What is the main difference between affordances and mediation?
Affordances focus on possibilities for action in a given environment, while mediation is about how communication is shaped by the medium, emphasizing influence on perception and society.
What is meant by “imagined affordance”?
Imagined affordance refers to the lack of a clear definition, with affordances seen as both environmental and perceptual. They are conceptual and imagined, reflecting dynamic user-technology interactions influenced by social, cultural, and affective factors.
Why is affordance considered ‘fluid’ in digital communication?
Because it is not a fixed property of an object; affordances change based on context and user perception. This highlights the importance of both social and technical factors in shaping affordances.
What are the three components of imagined affordance?
Materiality, mediation and affect
What is Materiality (imagined affordances)
Physical properties and affordances linked to specific actions
What is Mediation (imagined affordances)
Symbolic uses through signaling identities or communicating lifestyles.
What is Affect (imagined affordances)
Manipulation of identity, self-presentation, and symbolic expression.
How do Nagy and Neff redefine affordances for communication theory?
They emphasize the need for a nuanced definition that captures user-technology relationships, considering social, cultural, and affective factors, rather than using outdated, narrow definitions.
What is the role of imagined affordances in understanding communication?
Imagined affordances serve as a theoretical lens to incorporate material, mediated, and emotional aspects of human-technology interaction, offering a holistic view of how communication occurs within socio-technical environments.
