käytäntöteorian

Käytäntöteoria, often translated as practice theory or theory of practice, is a broad theoretical framework originating in sociology and anthropology that seeks to understand human action not as a result of individual intentions or social structures alone, but as emerging from the interconnectedness of practices. It views human life as composed of diverse and dynamic practices, which are understood as routinized, embodied, and socially organized ways of doing things.

Central to practice theory is the idea that practices are not simply individual behaviors but are constituted by a combination of elements: elements that practitioners recognize as part of their practice, elements they perceive as the object or goal of their practice, and elements they regard as the means of their practice. These elements are often described as the "what," "why," and "how" of a practice. Furthermore, practices are seen as deeply embedded in material objects, technologies, skills, understandings, and cultural meanings.

Key figures associated with practice theory include Pierre Bourdieu, with his concept of habitus, and later scholars like Theodore Schatzki, Andreas Reckwitz, and Elizabeth Shove. Bourdieu's habitus, a system of dispositions that shapes an individual's perceptions and actions, can be seen as a bridge between individual agency and social structures, and it resonates with the practice-theoretical emphasis on ingrained ways of doing.

Practice theory offers an alternative to traditional dualisms such as agency versus structure or micro versus macro perspectives. It proposes that social order and change are achieved and maintained through the ongoing performance and reproduction of these interconnected practices. By focusing on the "doing" of everyday life, practice theory provides a lens through which to analyze phenomena ranging from consumption patterns and environmental behavior to the formation of identity and the diffusion of innovations. It emphasizes the dynamic and emergent nature of social life, where collective actions arise from the coordinated, often unarticulated, performance of practices.