Affordances in a game of memory

In a game of memory various types of affordances in terms of relationships, communications, and connections occur.  Gibson (1977) defines affordances as "clues in the environment that indicate possibilities for action, are perceived in a direct, immediate way with no sensory processing".  This poem will highlight the connections that are made with the environment and actions when you play a game of memory. 

          These are the cards,

          that are used in the game of memory.

          These are my hands,

          that I use to hold the cards,

          that are used in the game of memory.

          This is the floor that I sit on,

          to rest my hands that I use to hold the cards,

          that are used in the game of memory.

          This is my house,

          that has the floor that I sit on,

          to rest my hands that I use to hold the cards,

          that are used in the game memory.

          This is Hamilton,

          that my house is situated,       
          that has the floor that I sit on,

to rest my hands that I use to hold the cards,

that are used in the game memory.

According to Christiansen & Townsend (2010) “any characteristic of a place or thing that enables or influences interactions with a living creature; an actionable property between the environment and individual” is affordances.  In this poem you can see how my house, floor, hands, ands cards all interact to enable the game to be played.

Relationships and communication

Through verbal and non-verbal communication, rules are communicated and body language is expressed.  According to Hagedorn (2000) communications between people and the nature of relationships can be enhanced through shared occupations.  Within the communications of playing a game of memory with my daughter, enhanced is our friendship, trust of one another, and mother/daughter relationship.  Being that the game is competitive in nature a winner/loser relationship is also present.  Another relationship to highlight would be a teacher/learner relationship; this would be present if I was to play a game of memory with someone for the first time.

References

Christiansen, C., & Townsend, E. (2004). Introduction to occupation: The art and science of living (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.

Gibson, J.J. (1977). The theory of affordances. In R. Shaw & J. Bransford (eds.), Perceiving, Acting and Knowing. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Hagedorn, R. (2000). Tools for Practice in Occupational Therapy: A Structured Approach to Core Skills and Processes. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone