Praktikteori

Praktikteori, often translated as practice theory, is a sociological and philosophical framework that emphasizes the centrality of practices in understanding social life. It posits that social phenomena are not reducible to individual intentions or abstract structures, but rather emerge from the coordinated, patterned activities that people engage in on a daily basis. These practices are seen as socially and historically situated, involving a combination of material objects, skills, knowledge, and shared understandings.

Key figures associated with the development of practice theory include Antoine Hennion, Andreas Reckwitz, and Elizabeth Shove. While different strands of practice theory exist, they generally share a focus on the "how" of social action rather than the "why." Instead of asking what individuals *think* or what structures *determine*, practice theory investigates how people *do* things and how these doings become routinized and meaningful within social contexts.

Central to practice theory is the concept of the "practice" itself. A practice is understood as a routinized type of behavior that is effective in accomplishing a particular end, involving a set of interconnected elements. For example, the practice of "commuting" involves specific routines, knowledge of routes and transportation systems, the use of vehicles or public transport, and an understanding of acceptable social conduct during travel.

Practice theory offers a lens for analyzing a wide range of social phenomena, from consumption and lifestyle choices to technological adoption and environmental change. By shifting the analytical focus from individuals and structures to the observable doings and routinizations of everyday life, it provides new insights into the dynamics of social reproduction and transformation.