Practice theory refers to a theoretical approach to social phenomena which sought to resolve the antinomy between traditional structuralist approaches and approaches such as methodological individualism

Methodological individualism

Methodological individualism is the theory that social phenomena can only be accurately explained by showing how they result from the intentional states that motivate the individual actors. The idea has been used to criticize historicism, structural functionalism, and the roles of social class,...

 which attempted to explain all social phenomena in terms of individual actions.

Practice theory is strongly associated with the French theorist and sociologist Pierre Bourdieu

Pierre Bourdieu

Pierre Bourdieu was a French sociologist, anthropologist, and philosopher.Starting from the role of economic capital for social positioning, Bourdieu pioneered investigative frameworks and terminologies such as cultural, social, and symbolic capital, and the concepts of habitus, field or location,...

. His concept of habitus represents an important formulation of the principles of practice theory. His book, 'Outline of a Theory of Practice', which is based on his work in Algeria during the Algerian War of Independence

Algerian War of Independence

The Algerian War was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria's gaining its independence from France...

 is an example of Bourdieu's formulation of practice theory applied to empirical data gathered through ethnography

Ethnography

Ethnography is a qualitative method aimed to learn and understand cultural phenomena which reflect the knowledge and system of meanings guiding the life of a cultural group...

. Other practice theorists include Lyotard, Giddens and Schatzki.

Modern use of practice theory

Practice theory is used to explain people's behavior
by means of putting the "practice" as first object of research.
Meaning is formed by doing and not an independent state of mind.