Theory Of Habitus Research Articles

A qualitative investigation of individuals’ lay representations of habit

Objective: While there have been substantive advances in the conceptualisation, measurement, and effects of habit as a psychological construct, there is limited research on individuals’ beliefs and perspectives on habit. The current investigation reports the findings of two studies purposed to explore individuals’ lay representations of habit which further inform habit theory and measurement, and interventions designed to promote habits. Methods: Study 1 (N = 158) used an online, open-ended questionnaire to elicit lay beliefs on the salient features of habit. Study 2 (N = 27) involved a series of interviews and focus groups to further explore individuals’ representations of habit. Results: Thematic content analysis revealed that participants described habit in terms of its content, salient features or characteristics, and function or consequences. The results also indicated that while collective knowledge converged on expert perspectives, few individuals identified all or most features of habit, suggesting individuals’ beliefs are incomplete. Conclusions: Current findings indicate that lay people as a collective hold consistent but largely ‘patchy’ beliefs about habit. Future research should focus on integrating the beliefs identified in this research with new measures of habit and habit interventions.

The Transformation of Kizukai Habitus on Asian Trainee in Japan: Striving and Competition of Labor Market in ASEAN

In the 1990s, Japan faced a severe economic downturn known as the "Lost Decade." To address labor shortages and strengthen economic and political ties with developing nations, the Japanese government has initiated a trainee program to provide individuals from developing countries in Asia with the opportunity to gain work experience in Japan for three years. The research aims to explore the impact of Japan's trainee program on participants who left Japan between 2000 and 2010. Specifically, it investigates how these individuals adapt to Japanese society through the concept of ‘kizukai’ (empathy and concern for others) and examines their success in establishing businesses in their home countries. The research employs an ethnographic approach, utilizing direct interviews and a literature review. The ethnographic method, utilizing direct interviews with former trainees, offers qualitative insights into their social adaptation, business success, and engagement with Japanese cultural practices, enriching the understanding of their lived experiences. The literature review complements this by providing a theoretical framework, particularly Bourdieu's theories of habitus, field, and capital, to analyze the changes in trainees' behaviors and their impact on business practices. The research finds that many trainees have successfully integrated into Japanese society by internalizing Hiroyuki Inoue's concept of kizukai. This integration plays a significant role in their entrepreneurial success upon returning to their home countries, where they establish prosperous businesses. The findings suggest that while the trainee program has shortcomings, it contributes to strengthening international economic relations and offers lessons for improving future trainee programs.

Wrestling with the ghost of deficit: exploring the experiences of trainee English further education teachers

Global education policy discourse is based on an unshakable belief that more and improved skills will promote economic prosperity, global competitiveness and social inclusion. In England, the Further Education and Skills sector (FES) has emerged as the vehicle to deliver these skills. However, the portrayal of FES as focusing primarily on vocational education for people often adjudged to be ‘not academic’ positions the sector at the bottom of the educational hierarchy, with negative ramifications for those who teach and study in it. This paper applies a case study approach to explore the lived experiences of five trainee FES teachers completing their initial teacher education (ITE). Drawing on contemporary interpretations of Bourdieu’s theory of habitus, I develop Morrin’s notion of hauntings to explain the psycho-social, historical and spatial influences on the trainees’ responses as they re-enter the field of education as teachers.

Language Ideologies and Identity Construction in Immigrant Communities

Purpose: This study sought to explore language ideologies and identity construction in immigrant communities. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to language ideologies and identity construction in immigrant communities. Preliminary empirical review revealed that dominant language beliefs significantly impacted how immigrants navigated their identities, often pressuring them to assimilate linguistically at the expense of their native languages and cultures. Immigrants employed various strategies, such as forming ethnic enclaves and participating in cultural events, to maintain their linguistic heritage. The study highlighted the crucial role of educational institutions and inclusive policies in supporting bilingualism and multiculturalism, which were essential for the social integration and identity preservation of immigrants. Ultimately, it emphasized the need for concerted efforts from policymakers, educators, and community organizations to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage to enhance the well-being and cohesion of immigrant communities. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Identity Theory, Bourdieu's Theory of Habitus and Cultural Capital and Critical Race Theory may be used to anchor future studies on language ideologies and identity construction in immigrant communities. The study recommended incorporating intersectional approaches into theoretical frameworks to better capture the dynamic nature of identity formation. It advised educators to adopt inclusive pedagogical strategies that value linguistic diversity and suggested training programs to enhance cultural competence. Policy recommendations included implementing bilingual and multilingual education programs, combating linguistic discrimination, and promoting linguistic diversity in public spaces. The study contributed to theory by integrating concepts of linguistic capital into social identity theories, offered practical guidance for supporting immigrant populations, and advocated for systemic policy changes to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

A tale of two platforms: Habitus as the structuring force of gig workers' experience

AbstractThis article applies Bourdieu's theory of fields and habitus to the platform economy, specifically through an analysis of interviews conducted with 27 Amazon Flex delivery drivers. Utilising interview data, it investigates how workers' habitus, informed by their social background, shapes their perceptions of the platform economy. The study extends current scholarship by theoretically enriching discussions on platform work dynamics. A key finding reveals distinct perspectives between workers with middle‐class and working‐class habitus. Middle‐class habitus frames the platform economy as a casual gig for quick income, while working‐class habitus perceives it as a genuine job with expectations of stability. These divergent viewpoints have significant implications, notably in relation to unionisation endeavours by platform workers. This research underscores how habitus‐driven perspectives influence engagement with the platform economy and its potential for labour mobilisation.

The Model of Electronic Word-of-mouth (eWOM) Information Acceptance in Hotel Booking

The objective of this research is to analyse the factors that influence hotel booking decisions. In Spain, the hotel industry plays a crucial role, making it essential to understand what elements motivate consumers to make hotel reservations. To address this issue, several key factors are considered, such as the IACM theory of eWOM, habit, attitude, and enjoyment. These elements are considered fundamental to understanding consumer motivations in the hotel booking process. In this study, structural equation analysis is used to examine and measure the relationships between these factors. The goal is to determine the influence that each of these factors has on consumers' final hotel booking decisions. The findings of this research will contribute to the knowledge and understanding of consumer behaviour in relation to hotel reservations. They will also be highly beneficial to the hotel industry, as these insights can be used to enhance the offerings and consumer experience in hotel establishments.

What is habit and how can it be used to change real‐world behaviour? Narrowing the theory‐reality gap

AbstractHabit change is often seen as key to successful long‐term behaviour change. Making ‘good’ behaviours habitual—that is, ensuring a behaviour is prompted automatically on exposure to situational cues, based on cue‐response associations learnt through context‐consistent repetition—is portrayed as a mechanism for sustaining such behaviours over time. Conversely, disrupting ‘bad’ habits is expected to terminate longstanding unwanted actions. Yet, some commentators have suggested that the role of habit in real‐world behaviour and behaviour change has been overstated. Such critiques highlight a gap between habit theory and the reality of human behaviour ‘in the wild’. This state‐of‐the‐field review aims to narrow this gap. Building on a core distinction between habit and habitual behaviour, our review seeks to offer interpretations of habit theory and evidence that will better manage intervention designers' expectations regarding how modifying habit can realistically be expected to promote behaviour change. We emphasise that habit is just one potential influence on behaviour at any given moment, and highlight instances in which habit may dominate over intention, and in which intention may dominate over habit, in determining behaviour frequency. We suggest that, while it may assist behaviour maintenance, habit formation may be neither necessary nor sufficient to sustain real‐world behaviour change. We draw attention to the various ways in which habit may be ‘broken’ (i.e., disrupted), and discern the implications of each habit disruption mechanism for long‐term cessation of unwanted behaviours.

Testing the Effect of Cue Consistency on the Past Behavior-Habit-Physical Activity Relationship.

Behavior performed in the presence of consistent cues is a core element for successful habit development, with the repeated presence of consistent cues facilitating the activation of automatic responses in future. Yet, little is known about the effects of different cue types on habit. Using a two-wave prospective PLS-SEM model with a sample of 68 undergraduate students, we assessed the mediating effects of habit on the past-behavior-to-physical-activity relationship, and how the mediating effects of habit were moderated by the consistent presence of different forms of cues. Habit mediated the effects of past behavior on physical activity, with a significantly stronger mediating effect of habit in those reporting undertaking physical activity at the same time of day, doing the same activity, and in the same mood. Consistent place, people, and part of routine did not moderate the effects of habit. The results provide formative evidence for a key assertion of the habit theory that consistent contextual and internal cues are a cornerstone of habitual development and action, but they also indicate the importance of examining different forms of cues and their impact on the formation and enaction of habits as some cues may be more relevant than others.

Distinction, difference, and the place(s) of Latine working-class immigrants in the creative city

ABSTRACT This urban ethnography examines the “place(s)” of working-class Latine immigrants who participate in the production of cultural spaces in the creative city. In order to better understand their power to shape the space and the city itself, “place” is framed using theories of habitus and the production of space. Moving beyond professional elite artists and complicating the established categories of artist and worker, the analysis focuses on 37 in-depth interviews with first- and second-generation Latine immigrant artists and cultural workers. Based in the City of Santa Ana’s historic and gentrifying downtown, the research examines different locations from which working-class mostly Mexican immigrants help produce the creative city while also accepting and dissenting their various political, economic, and social positions. Latine immigrants in the creative city inhabit multiple physical and social locations with shifting levels of visibility and mobility shaping both minimal and maximal forms of difference. Although mostly temporary, expressions of alternative subjectivities and dispositions can exhibit distinctions associated with cultures of solidarity for working-class immigrant communities facing both exploitation and displacement.

Habitus and Cultural Capital in Higher Education: Chinese Students' Academic and Cultural Adaptation at UK Universities

This paper explores the challenges faced by Chinese students studying in UK universities, drawing on Bourdieu's theories of habitus, capital, and field. It highlights the difficulties encountered due to language and academic culture shocks. Despite these challenges, the paper argues that with agency and resourcefulness, Chinese students can successfully adapt to the academic and cultural environment. The paper concludes that educational institutions have a responsibility to support international students, enabling them to overcome these difficulties and achieve academic success. Future considerations should focus on enhancing cross-cultural understanding and support mechanisms to further facilitate the integration of international students.

Musical Habits and Smartphone Addiction of College Students: Mediating Role of Self-Control

This study uses theories of habit and self-control to explore the relationship between musical habits and smartphone addiction among college students. Our findings reveal that self-control mediates this relationship, with individual differences playing a significant role. While musical listening habits, impacted by personal genre preferences, positively impact self-control, active music engagement, through playing an instrument and/or creating music, negatively affects it. We suggest using interventions to promote mindful music engagement to mitigate smartphone addiction. These insights contribute to understanding how music habits influence digital behaviors and offer practical strategies for fostering healthier smartphone use among college populations.

Threads of Rebellion: Indigenous Gender Dynamics among Nahua, Purépecha, and Totonac women in the Mexico State, Mexico

This comprehensive research investigates the complex nexus of agency, power dynamics, cultural nuances, resistance, and indigenous perspectives, with a particular focus on feminist theories and insights from Sherry Ortner. This research focuses on the perpetuation of traditional gender roles among Nahua, Purépecha, and Totonac women and girls migrating to rural-urban areas in the State of Mexico, specifically San Francisco Tepojaco, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico State, Mexico. It examines how ethnic cultural frameworks and the prevalence of gender-based violence contribute to these roles, utilizing Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus theory. The study advocates for contesting and reforming entrenched gender norms to achieve genuine gender parity. Adopting a materialist and transnational lens, the study underscores the critical need to redefine notions of agency, tethering them to a critique of neoliberal capitalism and confronting the entrenched gender binary prevalent in the neoliberal epoch. It underscores the paramountcy of active and quotidian agency, advocating for an intersectional approach that grapples with the multifaceted dimensions of gender oppression, inclusive of the unique experiences of Nahua, Purépecha, and Totonac communities. Moreover, it underscores the efficacy of collective agency in challenging habitus and reshaping deeply ingrained cultural norms. Within this framework, the paper delves into the perpetuation of traditional gender roles among Nahua, Purépecha, and Totonac women and girls migrating to rural-urban areas in the State of Mexico.

An Exploration of Changes in British Welfare Social Policy in the First Half of the Twentieth Century through Bourdieu's Theory of Field and Habitus

The question of how to transcend the dichotomy between subjectivity and objectivity is a central one in contemporary sociological theory. Bourdieu advocates habitus as a cognitive framework that embodies an individual's practical understanding of society. Such practices consist of structures and habits, and social behaviour is not directly determined by structures, but is indirectly influenced by habitus as an 'embodied mode'. Habits, as 'opportunities for the subject', act as constraints on the formation of structures and contribute to their reproduction. The welfare policy of Britain has experienced the transformation from solving the problem of the poor with a single welfare policy of relief law to the establishment of national economic law, which is continuously amended according to the native welfare policy habitus, thus affecting the welfare policy field and realising the two-way constraints of the field and habitus.

Il fallimento di una vita inabituale: Henry James e la costruzione della «nostra eroina» Isabel Archer


 
 
 This article aims to raise crucial aspects of the philosophy of habit found in late 19th-century literature, particularly through an examination of Henry James’ portrayal of his character Isabel Archer. This goal is pursued through the analysis of two interconnected aspects forming the theoretical core of this contribution. Firstly, the focus is on Isabel Archer’s psychological depiction as a fundamental contribution of the English and American literature on the theme of habit, especially during the latter half of the 19th century. By contextualizing James’ work, exploring links to Peirce’s pragmatist philosophy and habit theory, the centrality of habit reflection in the psychological structuring of characters, interwoven with philosophical and narrative theories of individuality, is revealed. Furthermore, this reflection provides interpretative keys to understanding Henry James’ narrative choices concerning Isabel’s fate in the novel. Then this article directly specifically examines the construction of Isabel’s self which unfolds through the entire narrative events. The interpretative hypothesis guiding the investigation focuses on the connection between Isabel’s attempts to conduct life without habit and the resulting errors in judgment. To support this hypothesis, the importance of comparing key characters such as Gilbert Osmond and Madame Merle is highlighted. Through the narrative, it will emerge a peculiar ontological structure of the concept of habit. Moreover, through the psychological portraits in the novel, a critical exploration of James’ idea of individuality arises — acknowledging social dynamics and the ontological force of habit, rejecting the dichotomy represented by an optimistic individualism and a degenerate conventional life. The conclusion asserts that Isabel’s pursuit of an unhabitual life inevitably leads to failure. The solution does not lie in a rigid, conventional, dichotomous view of habit. Instead, James argues for a dynamic, relational view of habit: a fundamental aspect of being that must be acknowledged to understand the mechanisms that lead us from the variety of possibilities to the limited “actualities” of life. Through these two interrelated perspectives, the article aims to illuminate the psychological depth of Isabel Archer’s character, demonstrating how her story represents a cornerstone in the broader discussion of the nature and evolution of habit in 19th- century literature. From that, it sets the stage for a more comprehensive discussion on habit’s role in shaping characters and narratives during this historical period.
 
 

A Minor Subject: Habit and Subjectivity in Modernist Literature and Philosophy


 
 
 In this essay, I intend to investigate some of the aspects of the resurgence of habit at the dawn of the twentieth century by touching upon a series of paradigmatic texts of the modernist canon and by investigating their debts to and consonances with the contemporary philosophies of habit. My thesis is that during those decades – seen as a mere chapter in the longer history of modernity – the philosophical and literary theme of habit served not only as a way to understand and represent the ordinary dimension of life, but also as a means to develop an idea of human subjectivity that could mediate between the centrifugal and the centripetal tendencies that permeated the competing ideologies of the time. The crisis of subjectivity that characterized modernism and which has often been simplistically represented as a disintegration of the subject into irredeemably broken fragments, should rather be seen as the development of a dialectical idea of a “minor subject”, that is, an open, dynamic, multilayered subjectivity still endowed by a certain malleable consistency. Both modernist literature and its philosophical counterparts found in the “minor subject” (here in the sense of “subject matter”) of habit, the opportunity to investigate and represent the porosity between activity and passivity, volition and determinism, individual identity and social structures, that characterize this idea of subjectivity.
 I focus on three different representative – though not exhaustive – facets of the issue. In the first section, relying on Virginia Woolf's work, I highlight how some of the narrative techniques developed by Modernist writers can be seen as an attempt to give a plastic representation to the blurred boundaries of subjectivity as captured in the everyday existence of their characters. I then connect these innovations to the theory of habit of Samuel Butler, whom Woolf identified as one of the harbingers of modernity. In the second section I focus on Marcel Proust to discuss how modernist writers proved to be able to combine two opposed views of habit: on the one hand, the view of habit as purely mechanical and leading to inauthentic life; on the other, the idea of habit as essential to the human being's potential for self-perfecting and creativity. The third section is dedicated to addiction, seen as a form of habit in which the subject is radically torn between opposite forces. Following insights from Sigmund Freud's Beyond the Pleasure Principle, I interpret Italo Svevo's Zeno's Conscience as a meditation on how such a torn subjectivity manifests the essential incompleteness of the human subject and life's insuppressible nostalgia for the inorganic.
 Virginia Woolf’s blurred boundaries, Marcel Proust’s ambiguous authenticity, and Italo Svevo’s split selfhood are three interconnected facets of the modernists’ interest in the “minor subject” of habit. Investigating the interaction between the philosophical and the literary discourses on habit at the dawn of the twentieth century can contribute to a more nuanced reconstruction of a pivotal moment in the history of thought but also to the contemporary philosophical debate. Almost exactly one century later, the renewed interest in the theme of habit mirrors a situation in part similar to what characterized the ideological landscape of the time, as now too it is concerned with the attempt to reimagine a “minor subject” that mediates between the postmodern pulverization of identity and the temptation of reaffirming anachronistic forms of strong subjectivities.
 
 

Uncovering Budget Battle Practices: A Critical Study of Budget Participation in Indonesia

Purpose: This research aims to analyze the budget battle practices between local government (executive) and Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD or legislative) within the context of plenary sessions in North Toraja Regency. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework of this article revolves around the concept of budget participation, influenced by the political environment, and inspired by Paulo Freire's ideas. Budget participation involves the engagement of the community in decisions regarding the allocation of public funds, with a normative emphasis on community involvement values. The influence of the political environment and the political will of the government plays a pivotal role in the success of budget participation. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a critical paradigm and employs the Habitus Theory as a tool for interpreting research data. The research also utilizes the data collection and reduction procedures outlined by Creswell (2014). The study was conducted in North Toraja Regency and involved ten informants selected through purposive sampling technique. Findings: The research findings reveal several aspects. Firstly, the practice of budgetary battles involves three models: negotiation, holding the Regional Budget Planning (RAPBD) hostage, and intimidation. Secondly, these three behaviors undergo transformation into a homogeneous institutional or group habitus among the actors. Thirdly, this group habitus is deeply internalized by the actors, shaping individual habits that are employed both during plenary sessions and outside the political context within the social realm. Research, Practical & Social implications: The social implications of these findings indicate that the existence of budgetary battle practices involving negotiation, holding the Regional Budget Planning (RAPBD) hostage, and intimidation can impact political dynamics and financial governance at the regional level. In terms of practice, these findings can provide guidance for policymakers at the local level to implement improvements in budgeting mechanisms. Originality/value: The originality of this article lies in its contribution to the understanding of how group habitus influences individual dispositions in budgetary battles. The findings concerning the three types of habitus also offer a novel contribution to the literature. This study provides crucial insights for further research in exploring the phenomenon of budgetary battles and their impact on budget participation within the context of local governance.

A neural autopilot theory of habit: Evidence from consumer purchases and social media use.

This article applies a two-process "neural autopilot" model to field data. The autopilot model hypothesizes that habitual choice occurs when the reward from a behavior has low numerical "doubt" (i.e., reward prediction errors are small). The model toggles between repeating a previous choice (habit) when doubt is low and making a goal-directed choice when doubt is high. The model has ingredients established in animal learning and cognitive neuroscience and is simple enough to make nonobvious predictions. In two empirical applications, we fit the model to field data on purchases of canned tuna and posting on the Chinese social media site Weibo. This style of modeling is called "structural" because there is a theoretical model of how different variables influence choices by agents (the "structure"), which tightly restricts how hidden variables lead to observed choices. There is empirical support for the model, more strongly for tuna purchases than for Weibo posting, relative to a baseline "reduced-form" model in which current choices are correlated with past choices without a mechanistic (structural) explanation. An interesting set of predictions can also be derived about how consumers react to different kinds of changes in prices and qualities of goods (this is called "counterfactual analysis").

Towards a critical character education using virtue ethics philosophy and Bourdieu’s sociology

ABSTRACT In this article I develop ideas for supporting character education through sociology and virtue ethics philosophy. A combination of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of habitus together with (neo) Aristotelian virtue ethics philosophy is used to promote a critical form of character education—one that accents the individual as well as the social context through human embodiment. In brief, my intention is that this framework may underpin conceptual and practical possibilities for critical (moral) character development for youth. Obviously the two approaches making up the theoretical framework differ by levels of analysis with predictably less concern for individual moral development from Bourdieu whose focus is on social context (e.g., race, class etc.) as it shows up in patterns of individual perceiving, feeling, thinking, and valuing. The proposed critical character education involves incorporating into processes of virtue and character development a reflexive capacity to understand how community practices, habits, and relations may be unjust or unconducive for human flourishing. The aim is to champion and develop shared qualities of being human while also acknowledging and tackling differences and oppressions in ways that are not counter-productive.

Unraveling the Layers of Inequality Among Chinese International High School Students

China's education system encompasses both regular and international high schools, catering to students seeking a global education experience. However, the association of international education with high costs raises concerns about educational inequality. This essay delves into the problem of educational inequality within Chinese international secondary high schools, employing an interdisciplinary socio-political perspective that considers both economic and cultural factors. Drawing upon Michael Sandel's educational theory and Pierre Bourdieu's examination of cultural capital and habitus, this research identifies two primary factors contributing to educational inequality. Firstly, regional wealth disparities and economic differences among individuals can result in unequal access to international education opportunities. Secondly, differences in the possession and utilization of cultural capital among students attending Chinese international schools further exacerbate these inequalities. Despite these challenges, the analysis highlights the potential for resolution. Collaboration between governments, schools, and individuals is essential to build a more equitable international education landscape. Policymakers may focus on providing financial support and scholarships to economically disadvantaged students, ensuring that no student is denied access based on financial constraints. Moreover, schools can implement inclusive admission practices and bridge programs to support students from diverse backgrounds. Emphasizing cultural competence within the curriculum can also help minimize cultural capital disparities and promote a more inclusive learning environment. Ultimately, by acknowledging and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to educational inequality, Chinese international high schools can become catalysts for positive change and provide a level playing field for students aspiring to gain a global education experience.

The Contribution of Habitus, Social Capital and Arena, As Well As Student Responses in Social Studies Learning at SMPN 2 Bulukumba

This research was conducted using a qualitative approach with a case study method. The study aimed to obtain in-depth data on the contributions of Habitus, Social Capital, and the Learning Environment in Social Studies education. The informants for this research consisted of seventh-grade students and teachers at SMPN 2 Bulukumba. Data analysis was carried out using both inductive and deductive methods. The results of the research found a significant relationship between Social Studies education and social capital, as the learning process in Social Studies provides students with knowledge of values, beliefs, norms, and networks. Social capital is also related to social skills, values, and attitudes. The learning environment in Social Studies includes the availability of good classroom facilities. Social Studies education at SMPN 2 Bulukumba aligns with Pierre Bourdieu's theory of Habitus, Social Capital, and the Learning Environment. In the seventh-grade classrooms at SMPN 2 Bulukumba, teachers engage students actively, with the teacher not being the center of attention; instead, both teacher and students collaborate in discussions. Keywords: Contribution of Habitus, Social Capital, Arena, Student Responses, Social Studies Learning.