The Dynamics of Social Practice: Everyday Life and how it Changes

by Elizabeth Shove, Mika Pantzar, Matt Watson

Everyday life is defined and characterized by the rise, transformation and fall of social practices. Using terminology that is both accessible and sophisticated, this book guides the reader through a multi-level analysis of this dynamic. The book provides discussion of real world examples such as the history of car driving and the emergence of frozen food, bringing abstract concepts to life and grounding them in empirical case-studies and new research. Demonstrating the relevance of social theory for public policy problems, the authors show that the everyday is the basis of social transformation.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction, Design, Anthropology

208 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2012

Reviews

[Steven R. Kraaijeveld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm using the theory of social practices by Shove et al. as a framework for my essay on the reading of literature as a practice. The Dynamics of Social Practices: Everyday Life and How It Changes is a clear and accessible summation of their argument, which goes as follows. In practices (like walking or driving), people actively combine the elements of which these practices are composed. There are three basic elements: materials (including things, technologies, tangible physical entities, and the stuff of which objects are made), competences (which encompasses skill, know-how, and technique), and meanings (in which are included symbolic meanings, ideas, and aspirations). Practices emerge, persist, shift, and disappear when connections between elements of these three types are made, sustained, or broken.

What's particularly valuable about their approach is its emphasis on materials or 'things,' which, even in practice theories, do not always receive the attention they deserve.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas and approach but a bit of a tedious read for something that could have been summarised. I wish there were more books on this topic as it really helps set the tone for how practices happen in the wild. Buying a new software product in your company doesn't change behaviour, decomposing practices and how they can grow and evolve over time is useful.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inherently worthwhile book, especially for design researchers interested in social change. If you are planning to read "The Practice Turn in Contemporary Theory" (Schatzki, Knorr Cetina & Von Savigny, Eds., 2001), read this book first, as it presents a clear interpretation of practice theory which may likely make reading the Schatzki et al. collection of writings a bit easier to accomplish.

[Robert Dodds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account of how social practices are made up of dynamic elements, defined as materials, ideas, and competences. A counter-argument to the policy-making consensus that social change can be engineered on the basis of promoting individual choice.
Probably one for sociologists, politicians and civil servants more than for general readers.

[Charlotte Glass]

An accessible introduction to practice theory, a very good place to start!