social practice theory

Social practice theory explains how people's behaviors, habits, and routines are shaped by the social and cultural contexts they are part of. Instead of viewing individual actions as isolated choices, it sees practices—like cooking, commuting, or caring—as interconnected routines influenced by shared norms, materials, and skills within a community. These practices evolve over time through social interactions and changes in society, making behaviors more about well-established patterns than just individual decisions. This perspective helps us understand how societal change occurs gradually through shifts in collective practices rather than isolated acts.