performativitás

Performativitás is a concept that explores how actions, speech, and expressions can create and constitute reality rather than simply reflecting it. It originates from the work of philosopher J.L. Austin, who distinguished between constative utterances (statements that describe a state of affairs) and performative utterances (statements that do things, like making promises or declaring war).

The term was further developed by Judith Butler, who applied it to gender. Butler argued that gender is not an innate quality but rather a performance that is repeatedly enacted through a series of actions and behaviors. This continuous performance, over time, creates the illusion of a stable, internal gender identity.

Performativity, therefore, is not about acting or playing a role in the theatrical sense. Instead, it refers to the ways in which repeated social performances produce and solidify social constructs, including gender, social roles, and even personal identities. It highlights the power of social norms and expectations in shaping what we perceive as real and natural. The concept suggests that reality, in many aspects, is not a pre-existing fact but is actively constructed through our ongoing social interactions and expressions.