James L. Gibson

James L. Gibson was an American psychologist best known for his work in ecological psychology, a field that examines how humans and animals perceive the world around them. He introduced the concept of "affordances," which refers to the properties of objects that suggest their possible uses or functions, like how a chair "affords" sitting. Gibson emphasized that perception is active and grounded in real-world interactions, highlighting how our environment shapes our understanding and behavior. His ideas have significantly influenced fields such as perception, design, and even robotics, promoting a more integrated view of perception and action.