Performative Practices

Performative practices are actions or behaviors that achieve meaning through their execution, rather than just conveying information. They involve intentionally performing tasks—such as giving a speech, issuing a command, or participating in a ritual—that create a specific social or cultural effect. For example, a judge declaring a verdict or a couple exchanging vows are performative acts because their action directly brings about a new social reality. These practices emphasize that the act itself is integral to producing meaning, often shaping perceptions, identities, or relationships through embodied, deliberate performance.