The book explains this through Norman’s concept of affordance: objects and environments suggest certain actions to users. For example, a chair can be used not only for sitting, but also as a coat hanger or a ladder, because its form invites different uses.1
So, when spatial instruction is clear, people understand more easily how to move, where to go, and what actions are expected.
In this experiment, participants were asked to spend time in a room without receiving any specific instructions. They were not informed about what they were supposed to do or how long the experiment would last. The session ended after 2 minutes, and participants were notified when the time was finished.
The intention was to observe behavior in a situation structured by uncertainty and lack of guidance.
Observation (interview)
| Robin | Amber | Emma | Minji | Arman |
| How was your experience? Lonely, unheard and ignored. Irritated by small things . Why did you sit down? I think I was supposed to sit down. How long you think you stayed? 2 minutes. | How was your experience? Awkward, a bit awkward again. Why did you sit down? Because I thought needed to, I wanted sit down. How long you think you stayed? Maybe 1-2 minutes. | How was your experience? Nice to sit and not to do anything. Why did you sit down? Very inviting. I don’t like standing at the moment How long you think you stayed? 1,5-2 minutes. | How was your experience? I feel like I have to do something inside. I can hear sounds from my body. Smell from the area. Find something, curious. Looking at the wall. Not like in school Why did you sit down? I don’t know. How long you think you stayed? – | How was your experience? Thought about task that he accomplish Waiting mode. Why did you sit down? Saw a chair, thought to sit. How long you think you stayed? 3-4 minutes |
Results
In general participants were less worried about what they should do, a chair created a feeling of certainty.
They sit down because they think they are supposed to sit down.
- Gal and Ventura, Introduction to Design Theory. ↩︎
