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Affordances in social ecologies: A biological markets extension

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2026

Amanda Rotella Open the ORCID record for Amanda Rotella [Opens in a new window] ,
Oliver Twardus Open the ORCID record for Oliver Twardus [Opens in a new window]  and
Pat Barclay Open the ORCID record for Pat Barclay [Opens in a new window]
Amanda Rotella
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon, UK amanda.rotella@northumbria.ac.uk https://www.amandarotella.ca/
Oliver Twardus
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada otwardus@uoguelph.ca barclayp@uoguelph.ca https://patbarclay.com/
Pat Barclay*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada otwardus@uoguelph.ca barclayp@uoguelph.ca https://patbarclay.com/
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We extend Ko & Neuberg’s framework by integrating biological markets. Because many affordances are provided by others, they follow market dynamics based on partner-choice processes (partner availability, switching costs, and actor value) – which shift across environments and life stages. These shifts reshape market composition and affordances, generating testable predictions about who perceives opportunities, when and why, and how these shape behavioral strategies.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e77
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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