Perception in Action Podcast: J.J. Gibson's Contributions to Perception

Introduction

• Host: Rob Gray from Arizona State University
• Focus: J.J. Gibson's contributions to perception in action
• Today's Topic: Affordance Theory

Affordance Theory

• Definition: Concept by J.J. Gibson
  • Affordances: Opportunities for action provided by the environment
  • Examples: Flat surfaces afford sitting, gaps afford passing through

Application to Sports

• Question: How do affordances apply to sports?
• Example: Baseball infielder using optic information to perceive affordances like catchability

Gibson's View on Cognition

• Criticism of cognitive processing in action control
• Argument: Affordances allow direct perception of action possibilities without cognitive mediation

Direct Perception of Affordances

• Key Idea: Environment can be perceived directly without cognitive processing
  • Example: Bird landing using optical information to perceive affordances
  • Physical properties vs. affordances: Directly perceiving opportunities for action

Affordances and Individual Action Capabilities

• Affordances are specific to individual capabilities
• Concepts:
  • Effectivities: Complementary dispositions of an animal to affordances
  • Debate: Dispositional vs. relational properties of affordances

Affordances in Coaching and Training

• Decision-making in sports: Use affordances to guide practice design
• Training Implications:
  • Manipulate information and constraints to influence perception
  • Design practices that align with athletes' capabilities

Key Aspects of Affordances

• Creativity in Behavior: Using surfaces for unintended purposes
• Dynamics of Affordances: Change over time and conditions (e.g., fatigue)
• Prospective Control: Using affordances to guide behavior without cognitive models

Conclusion

• Affordances provide a framework for understanding perception and action in sports
• Coaching Implications: Designing practices based on affordance theory to enhance decision-making and control

Contact Information

• Rob Gray: [email protected]
• Twitter: @shakyweights

• Support the podcast: Patreon