In Gibson's Ecological Approach to Perception, what element is placed in the environment rather than in the perceiver's mind?

In Gibson's Ecological Approach to Perception, meaning is conceptualized as being inherent in the environment itself rather than being constructed solely within the perceiver's mind. Gibson emphasized that perception is a direct process where individuals interact with their environment, and that the features of the environment provide intrinsic meaning that influences how stimuli are perceived.

According to Gibson, the structure of the environment is rich with information and affordances that help individuals understand and navigate their surroundings without relying on prior experiences or cognitive constructions, such as memories or emotions. This approach suggests that the environment is not just a backdrop for perception but is central to the perception process, as it supplies the meanings that allow individuals to act and respond to stimuli effectively.

This contrasts with other elements like emotion, memory, and attention, which are more reliant on the mental processes of the individual perceiving the environment, rather than being part of the environment itself. Thus, the concept of meaning being placed in the environment is a cornerstone of Gibson's theory, reinforcing the idea that perception is a direct engagement with the world around us.