Responding to Representations of Physical Elements

In some implementations, a method includes obtaining, by a virtual intelligent agent (VIA), a perceptual property vector (PPV) for a graphical representation of a physical element. In some implementations, the PPV includes one or more perceptual characteristic values characterizing the graphical representation of the physical element. In some implementations, the method includes instantiating a graphical representation of the VIA in a graphical environment that includes the graphical representation of the physical element and an affordance that is associated with the graphical representation of the physical element. In some implementations, the method includes generating, by the VIA, an action for the graphical representation of the VIA based on the PPV. In some implementations, the method includes displaying a manipulation of the affordance by the graphical representation of the VIA in order to effectuate the action generated by the VIA.