Affordances refer to the properties of an object that suggest how it can be used. For example, a door handle affords pulling or pushing, indicating to users how to interact with it. This concept helps designers create intuitive products by ensuring that the intended use is clear through the object's design. The term was popularized by psychologist James J. Gibson, who emphasized that affordances are perceived based on an individual's capabilities and experiences. Understanding affordances is crucial in fields like user experience design and ergonomics, as it enhances usability and ensures that users can easily understand how to interact with various objects.