Social Practice Theory Research Articles

Beyond the Bin: The Influence of Motivation, Opportunity, and Ability on Food Waste Behavior in Households

ABSTRACTThis study examined household food waste behavior building upon a framework that integrates the motivation‐opportunity‐ability model (MOA), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and norm activation model (NAM) enriched with insights from social practices theory (SPT). Using a dual‐country sample (Germany and South Africa), an online survey (n = 1065) measured how motivation, opportunity, and ability drive self‐reported food waste behavior. The results show that the ability to reduce food waste, that is, habits and perceived and actual knowledge, unfold a strong influence on reported food waste behavior. Quite surprisingly, motivation to engage in food waste reduction, due to attitude, values, and ascription of responsibility, has the lowest impact on reported food waste behavior. Our findings enhance the current understanding of food waste drivers and highlight the significance of socio‐psychological determinants of behavior, specifically ability and habits. The implications for both research and practical applications are discussed.

A Social Practice Perspective of Ireland's Lobster Cultural Food Heritage

The research examines integrating the Slow Food Movement (SFM) with Ireland's lobster industry, emphasising preserving local culinary heritage as crucial for Sustainable Food Systems. This heritage includes both tangible elements, like agricultural practices and intangible ones, such as traditional food preparation. Slow food aims to protect these traditions from the homogenisation of food production. Using Social Practice Theory, the research analyses lobster consumption in Ireland, underscoring its symbolic importance in Irish culture to develop a novel framework adapted from the Social Practice Framework. The study combines qualitative interviews and secondary data analysis to explore lobster's role in Irish culinary heritage and its potential for promoting sustainable seafood consumption. Results from the study highlight the critical role of Irish lobster fishing communities in maintaining cultural food heritage, with traditional practices contributing to ecological and economic sustainability. The SFM influences lobster consumption, supporting sustainable and culturally important food practices. This research underscores the intricate link between tradition and sustainability, suggesting a model to balance cultural integrity with sustainable practices, contributing to a more culturally informed and environmentally conscious food consumption approach.

Transitioning practices of vegetable small-scale actors in Vietnam: an interplay of food safety, labor demand, and soil environment

AbstractFood safety is a critical and persistent issue that challenges the sustainability of agri-food systems in Vietnam. The government has launched multiple food safety initiatives, but there is limited understanding of their contribution to changing the practices of small-scale producers and distributors. This study explores these changing practices by applying Social Practice Theory (SPT) to analyze the transitions in everyday routines of small-scale vegetable producers while being embedded in socio-institutional contexts of agri-food system transitions. We conducted semi-structured interviews and survey with small-scale food producers and distributors in Hanoi, Vietnam to examine the transitions in production and post-production practices over the last 20 years and the intersection between smallholding practices and cross-level dynamics. The study revealed, contrary to some common perceptions, that smallholder producers are transitioning towards food safety, with the use of more bio-pesticides and eco-friendly pest control methods. The smallholders also reproduce a variety of (sustainable) intensification practices, including crop rotation, organic fertilization, and soil cultivation, to sustain soil fertility and save labor. However, there are no clear patterns of change for post-production practices, although they have been diversifying under the impacts of urbanization. The findings highlight the interplay of food safety, labor, and soil environment in shaping the transitions of smallholder practices. We suggest that success in improving safety in production practices is feasible, but that this requires more thorough interventions in distribution and consumption practices to transform the food systems at large.

Indoor thermal environment and adaptive behaviors in summer of urban households in northern China: Status and trend

Space cooling is one of the fastest growing end-uses globally due to climate change and upgraded living standards. However, existing studies were insufficient on human’s adaptation to hot summer indoors other than in tropical or subtropical climate, hindering efficient cooling in buildings. This study examined the indoor thermal environment and adaptive behaviors in summer of urban households in northern China, to add new data and ideas in temperate climate. The meta-analysis review, online questionnaire survey, and national statistical databases were used to investigate thermal demand, device basis, and behavior modes of northern urban households. In addition, path analyses demonstrated the formation and dynamics of adaptive behaviors under social practice theories. Results showed that northern households got 2°C hotter in summer since the new century, being close to southern cases. The penetration of air conditioners in urban China was 85%, which approached developed countries after the rapid growth since 2000, enabling affordable cooling at home. Although northern urbanites, particularly middle-aged or elderly people, were not addicted to air conditioning, young people, who adopted less frequently wellness habits, tended to rely on air conditioners and paid more power bills in summer. The findings will facilitate future studies on efficient cooling solutions.

“Dignifying the Ordinary”: Why, What, and How of Social Practice Theory in Christian Philosophy

Abstract It seems remarkable that several philosophers in the Reformed tradition have recently interacted with social practice theory without interacting with each other. This gave rise to the question as to whether they interact differently or similarly with social practice theory and to what extent Reformed philosophy might benefit from such an interaction. In this article, therefore, we aim to clear the way by addressing three strands in Reformed philosophy, namely, Nicholas Wolterstorff, the normative practice approach, and James K. A. Smith. We explore why they use social practice theory, what they do with it, and how they make it their own. Finally, we highlight what unites them and what divides them, and conclude with suggestions as to how they might benefit from each other’s work in social practice theory.

Life Cycle Assessment of Consumption Patterns – Understanding the links between changing social practices and environmental impacts

As we are still not on track to achieve environmental sustainability through technological change, we need to further stress the importance of understanding routinized types of behaviour by private households and the environmental assessment of corresponding consumption of resources. Social practice theories allow us to understand the constitution of human activity and its embeddedness in society. In transformation research, the relevance of social practice theories has been recognized. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the conditions under which practices change substantially and what kinds of tools and governance approaches are suitable to foster change in social practices. We therefore propose a novel way to address the transformation of consumption patterns of private households by a) connecting social practice theories to life cycle assessment for a quantitative environmental evaluation of transformation processes and b) using narrative approaches to understand the links between several social practices and conditions for change. An illustrative study of a bottom-up neighbourhood initiative shows how specific meanings and values (expressed, for example, through meanings of “enough”) affect several social practices from different consumption categories (nutrition, daily mobility, travelling). Environmental assessments further show that changing social practices across consumption categories can substantially decrease environmental pressures from private household consumption, especially in the field of nutrition. The understanding of how various social practices are connected in a nexus through narratives embodying deeper meanings point to novel ways of fostering change and the relevance of social practices related to urban or neighbourhood initiatives as an entry point to a more sustainable way of living.

A Sociological Study into the Impact of Capital on Moss Roberts’ Translation—<i>Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel</i>

The study of translation has undergone a shift from language-level analysis to a cultural turn and, subsequently, a return to a more macroscopic social perspective. As social research in translation primarily targets external factors, it falls under centrifugal research in translation studies. To sustain the vitality of translation studies, there is a need for a balanced approach, combining centrifugal research with centripetal research. Moss Roberts’ translation of <i>San Guo Yan Yi</i> is initiated by China Foreign Language Press and co-published by China and the US presses in 1991. It is considered the most academic complete English version of <i>San Guo Yan Yi</i>. Drawing on the social practice theory of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, this study analyzes Moss Roberts’ translation practices of and the influence of capital in the English translation and dissemination field. It attempts a micro-level and reverse study of sociological aspects of translation by examining three key aspects: the influence of cultural capital, the impact of social capital, and the manipulation of power capital. The results showed that Moss Roberts’ translation practices are deeply influenced by his cultural, social and power capital. Among them, his cultural capital enables the translation to be academic; his social capital empowers it to be accurate and faithful; and his power capital manipulates it where religious information arises.

To sort or not to sort? – Consumers’ waste behavior in public

While waste sorting in private households is considered a social norm, we still lack knowledge about individuals' waste sorting behavior in public, such as on the street, in parks or on public transport. Research on public spaces has primarily focused on littering, drawing the spotlight away from the valuable materials lost due to a lack of public waste sorting. Employing social practice theory, we conducted interviews with consumers and cleaners, observed practices, documented waste bins, and engaged with stakeholders to describe the role of materials, competencies, and ideas for performing waste sorting in public. Key findings include individuals’ use of cognitive maps to locate residual waste bins, revealing paradoxes of public waste bin designs, and a lack of responsibility for waste sorting (e.g., individuals arguing that machines can perform this task more efficiently). Bridging this knowledge gap is vital to develop targeted strategies that encourage responsible waste practices.

Aligning practices towards a circular economy in the architecture, engineering, and construction sector: seven transitions in different stages of reconfiguration

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector is in need of a transition towards a circular economy. This article offers an analysis of two cases with a wide variation regarding project dynamics in the Netherlands. Alignments and misalignments were analyzed between practices concerning seven design strategies for circular design based on social practice theory and concepts from the multi-level perspective. Results show that many misalignments still hinder the transition, mostly concerning the use of secondary resources, such as notions regarding quality, beauty, and safety among project team members or rapid decision-making processes of the municipality that misalign with the uptake of design with secondary resources. This article offers directions for reconfiguration, such as better tuning between project planning and urban planning and taking up a more flexible stance regarding the function of the building. This research is interesting for practitioners and researchers focusing on the transition towards a circular economy in the AEC sector.

Everyday practices and needs as entry points for an operationalisation of more collective approaches to sufficiency

When it comes to grappling with both the environmental and social dimensions of energy transitions, sustainable wellbeing can be seen as a normative aim to be achieved through the satisfaction of human needs. This article exposes an engaging conceptual framework that describes the reduction of consumption through social practice theory, combined with a eudaimonic approach to wellbeing. Drawing on individual interviews with people who declare themselves as ‘living degrowth’ in French-speaking Switzerland, the article discusses everyday practices of consumption reduction that inform the actualisation of fundamental needs. The article proposes an operationalisation of Max-Neef’s approach of needs satisfaction, showing that an emphasis can be placed on sustainable practices representing synergic satisfiers. To support social change towards sufficiency, the article discusses that synergic satisfiers must be planned for collectively. Synergic collective changes are discussed in relation to synergic configurations of practices towards consumption reduction and needs satisfaction – or sufficiency.

Flight-intensive practices and wellbeing: current evidence and future research

This article draws on social practice theory and wellbeing perspectives to outline a research framework for the study of flight-intensive practices. The framework is then used to discuss, through a non-systematic review, the social science air travel literature and to propose avenues for future research. We study both the work and leisure domains, with sub-cases for travel in academia and visiting family and friends. We find insights of a complex relationship between flight-intensive practices and wellbeing. On one hand, currently flight-intensive practices are linked to human need fulfilment, particularly in the family and social domains. Leisure-related air travel often enhances subjective wellbeing, as it contributes to positive moods and life satisfaction, but may not be sustained in the long term. On the other hand, flying, particularly frequent flying, hinders wellbeing by increasing levels of stress and health-related issues, and by straining work/life balance. Overall, the study suggests that policies to reduce the demand for air travel may not significantly compromise wellbeing if accompanied by infrastructural and sociocultural changes that support specific groups to still meet their needs for relatedness, participation, or understanding through low carbon transport, videoconferencing, or reducing the total amount of travel. We identify avenues for future research, both to consolidate our understanding of the practice elements that will support a shift away from flight-intensive practices, and to understand their direct effects on wellbeing.

The method and application of social practice in the clubhouse.

The theory of social practice describes a therapeutic community process for people living with serious mental illness, while the methods involve engaging people to become collaborators and contributors to a social environment. Confusion in the mental health field surrounding the applied methods of social practice-as occurring within the clubhouse model-has not been sufficiently addressed. This article aims to outline the methodology of social practice, as well as provide guidance on its practical application. Specific constructs of social practice are defined, and empirical support is provided to emphasize how practices to support recovery are applied in the clubhouse. Five key elements of social practice-that is, transformational social design, engagement, relationship development, natural feedback and intervention, and transitional environments-are described. Practical examples of therapeutic techniques associated with each element are also provided. Social practice addresses the social determinants of health by focusing on five key elements that support individual and community recovery. Here, we detail social practice techniques utilized in the clubhouse as a way of unifying theory, providing practical guidance to mental health professionals and improving the measurement of community as therapy for serious mental illness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Literacy learning and changing social practices in a community art project for women with experience of the criminal justice system

ABSTRACT This article seeks to understand what a group of women with experience of the criminal justice system learned through taking part in a community art project, particularly in terms of their literacy. It draws on an ethnographic study of a community art project carried out by the Collectif Art Entr’Elles which took place in a halfway house in Montreal (Canada) where prisoners can apply to complete their sentence and prepare for their social reintegration. Using a non-linear narrative structure, the collaborative sound work produced sought to break down prejudices by making these women’s voices heard in public space. Drawing on Lave’s (2019) theory of social practice, we explore in more detail the experience and learning journey of one of the women involved. Our analysis indicates that non-formal education, especially when it takes the form of community arts projects, can play a positive role in the diversification and enhancement of literacy practices that are key to the social reintegration and wellbeing of women with experience of the criminal justice system. As such, non-formal community arts education can be an important vehicle for social justice.

Disrupting deliberation? The impact of the pandemic on the social practice of deliberative engagement

The coronavirus pandemic disrupted established ways of doing democracy. This was particularly the case for citizens’ assemblies that have been increasingly commissioned by public authorities to help tackle complex policy problems. The social restrictions adopted in response to the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the ‘deliberative wave’, making the in-person participation of citizens’ assemblies unviable. It forced deliberative practitioners to rethink their standard mode of operation. In this paper, we adopt social practice theory to make sense of how the meanings, competencies and materials associated with the practice of deliberative mini-publics were challenged and, at times, reformulated as practitioners were forced to adapt to digital delivery. Our findings highlight that while aspects of deliberative practice such as inclusivity were rethought, the established identity and competencies of practitioners played a constraining role in the choices and applications of technology.

Behavioural Factors Influencing Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Healthy Food: A Review and Research Agenda

ABSTRACTHuman and planetary health goals have coalesced within consumer food choices. Food‐based dietary guidelines provide expert recommendations on what to eat, however, adherence is low and few include sustainability recommendations. This systematic review sought to extract consumer behavioural findings specifically related to ‘healthy sustainable diets’ to gain insights into the levers of food‐related behavioural change. Data analysed from 57 studies reveal that while 27 discrete behavioural theories underpinned conceptualisation of research, just three dominate this literature: Theory of Planned Behaviour, Transtheoretical Model and Social Practice Theory. Correspondingly, studies were mainly concerned with motivation, attitudes, intentions and practices. Promising research directions are emerging from investigations into the roles of emotions, meat attachment and types of knowledge. Those sustainable healthy food behaviours (SuHeFB) most investigated were meat consumption reduction, plant‐based food consumption, and alternative‐to‐animal protein food product acceptance. In addressing the perplexity surrounding consumer inertia in altering dietary habits, this review provides a comprehensive SuHeFB construct typology and a justification for directing research attention towards the phenomenon of amotivation. In addition, 31 future research questions are posited under six related SuHeFB themes.

Food choice, activity level, and carbon footprint: exploring potential for sustainable food consumption practices in young adults.

This study aims to explore climate consciousness in relation to food consumption in young adults, examining its relationship with physical activity level and gender. A mixed-method approach is utilized, integrating seven-day food records and semi-structured interviews, employing social practice theory in our analytical framework. Our cohort of 47 participants (25 women, 22 men) displays varied diets, from omnivores to vegans. Moderately-active women show the lowest carbon footprint, favoring climate-conscious choices related to lower energy needs and plant-based preferences. Highly-active individuals consume more energy, resulting in a higher carbon footprint. Gender differences are evident, women were inclined to climate-conscious food practices motivated by animal ethics and health concerns. Conversely, men demonstrated a tendency for meat consumption. Participants share an understanding of carbon footprint, reflecting a solid awareness of food-related climate impact but differ in priorities; performance for highly-active, and economy for moderately-active. This highlights a mix of commonalities and distinctions, informing flexible, sustainable food practices. Higher activity levels are linked to greater energy needs and a higher carbon footprint. Moderately-active women show the most climate-conscious food choices, leading to the lowest carbon footprint. Our findings indicate that highly-active individuals and men have significant potential to improve climate-adapted food consumption.

“RadioActive”: an exploration of the critical role of materiality in shaping participatory spaces

ABSTRACT Materiality plays a critical role in determining participatory spaces within social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) interventions focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, this role remains under-examined. This article draws inspiration from social practice theory to steer away from dominant individual-centred approaches. We focus on the material dimension of social practices to examine how materiality is involved in enabling or hindering participation, with the Rwandan “Itetero” Radio Listening Club (RLC) as case study. This research draws on one year of ethnographically inspired participant observations that involved attending 12 listening club sessions, 12 group discussions, and semi-structured interviews with 45 RLC participants (2019–2020). We provide insight into how the materiality of the RLC – understood here as infrastructure, architecture, and technology – shaped attendants’ ability to participate. We argue that acknowledging the material entanglements of people and (material) space might allow SBCC project implementers to develop more contextually appropriate and inclusive participatory spaces.

How platformisation shapes sports betting consumption practices and implications for harm

In this paper, we explore how platformisation facilitates potentially harmful consumption practices of sports betting. Our research draws on ideas from the platformisation and social practice theory literature and features a netnographic study of a sports betting community of practice hosted on the English-language platform Reddit. We consider how platformisation shapes sports betting consumption practices, and the implications for consumers. Our findings demonstrate how platformisation facilitates harmful sports betting consumption practices by causing: (1) intrusion of these practices into work, time, and the consumption of sport; and (2) competitive intensification among and between consumers, against the gambling industry, and against consumers themselves. We discuss the implications from our research findings for platformisation theory, the platformisation of consumption practices, and sociocultural perspectives on gambling. Further, we offer suggestions for how policy and practice can ameliorate gambling harms that are facilitated through platformisation, and identify opportunities for further research.

Organisational Flexibility: Core Business, Interdependence and the Timing of Energy Demand

Abstract Discussions of flexibility in organisations generally focus on labour relations, corporate agility, and long-term survival. In much of this writing, flexibility is conceptualised as a feature of organisations and their environments, of organisational strategy and form, and an outcome of characteristics that can be defined and measured. By contrast, we argue that capacities to adapt depend on interpretations of ‘core business’ which is defined by institutional connections established both outside organisations and reproduced within them. This account is informed by social practice theory, the literature on strategy-as-practice, process studies of organisations, and by empirical research conducted in three secondary schools and three hospitals in Northern England. Interviews with thirty-three managers and employees help us to show how the scope for adaptation is constituted and reproduced in the ways that many organisations connect, and in related rhythms and patterns of social life. There are many contexts in which this insight will be important. We focus on the significance of this analysis for the need to modify the timing of energy demand in a lower carbon future. As we show, the relative ability of specific organisations to adapt depends on a broader nexus of interlinking social practices, temporal arrangements, and cross-cutting commitments.

Household niche experimentation in sustainability transitions and everyday life: A novel framework with evidence from low-waste living in Melbourne

Sustainability transitions research and policy treat households and the home in a narrow way. The paper reviews niche-based experimentation and social-practice theory informed sustainability transitions literature to develop a novel framework for deliberate household experimentation. The usefulness of the framework is explored in an action research project on low-waste living in Melbourne. Data was collected through interviews, weekly self-reports and three participatory workshops. The research confirms the usefulness of the framework and offers reflections on deliberate household experimentation. The conclusion is that similar to other niche spaces, household niches are instrumental in demonstrating, learning about, advocating for and critiquing different aspects of sustainability transitions. But in contrast to other niche spaces, households are deeply embedded in the everyday life of what matters to people. If the transition to low-waste living is to be successful, it needs to be planned from the perspective of everyday household life.