Clarification on Ecological Psychology and Embodiment

1. Clarification on Ecological Psychologyand Embodiment February 25, 2004

2. Interface semantics • Structuralism (semiotics) • “Affordances” (gestalt)

3. Sign = Sr + Sd(Structuralism) • Linguistics • Saussure

4. Structuralism • Admits values and history • All meaning is relative • Used in designing control, display and attention management • Foundation for: • Post-Modernism • Critical Theory • Post-Structuralism

5. Gestalt / “Affordances” • Gestalt psychology • Kurt Lewin • The whole is more than the sum of the parts • Ecological psychology: a psychology of affordance • JJGibson • Door handle “wants” to be grasped

6. “Affordances” • Does not admit values or history • “Universals” • Mostly used for control aspects

8. Pour me Hold me Yank me “Affordance”

9. Structuralism Pour me Hold me Green plastic says outdoor power tool Blender 2-stroke chainsaw engine says “Macho” Yank me Name says hard-drinkin’ at sporting events “Affordance”

11. Find everything Click this Type here “Affordance”

12. Find everything “Official” Click this “We care” Type here Structuralism “Affordance”

13. What does this font say? Title or link?

14. Embodiment Creating interfaces that allow “FLOW”: loss of self-consciousness in the activity Example: Soccer, skiing, writing

15. Embodiment Creating interfaces that allow “FLOW”: loss of self-consciousness in the activity Example: Soccer, skiing, writing “EXPERTESE” may involve embodiment but is not embodiment.

16. Embodiment Creating interfaces that allow “FLOW”: loss of self-consciousness in the activity Example: Soccer, skiing, writing “EXPERTESE” may involve embodiment but is not embodiment. CSCW question: WHEN does the object say what and to WHOM? (Tony and the electric kettle) Pour Me Put on stove (oops) Plug in