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Explaining Showering: A Discussion of the Material, Conventional, and Temporal Dimensions of Practice

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  • Martin Hand
  • Elizabeth Shove
  • Dale Southerton

Abstract

This article considers the increasing popularity of showering in the UK. We use this case as a means of exploring some of the dimensions and dynamics of everyday practice. Drawing upon a range of documentary evidence, we begin by sketching three possible explanations for the current constitution of showering as a private, increasingly resource-intensive routine. We begin by reviewing the changing infrastructural, technological, rhetorical and moral positioning of showering. We then consider how the multiple and contingent constituents of showering are arranged and re-arranged in and through the practice itself. In taking this approach, we address a number of more abstract questions about the relation between practices, technologies and infrastructures and about what these relationships mean for the fixity and fluidity of ordinary routines and for associated patterns of consumption. The result is a method that allows us to analyse the ways in which material cultures and conventions are reproduced and transformed. This has practical implications for those seeking to contain the environmental consequences of resource-intensive practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Hand & Elizabeth Shove & Dale Southerton, 2005. "Explaining Showering: A Discussion of the Material, Conventional, and Temporal Dimensions of Practice," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 10(2), pages 101-113, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:10:y:2005:i:2:p:101-113
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.1100
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    Cited by:

    1. Troy Malatesta & Gregory M. Morrison & Jessica K. Breadsell & Christine Eon, 2023. "A Systematic Literature Review of the Interplay between Renewable Energy Systems and Occupant Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-27, June.
    2. Josephine Mylan & Helen Holmes & Jessica Paddock, 2016. "Re-Introducing Consumption to the ‘Circular Economy’: A Sociotechnical Analysis of Domestic Food Provisioning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Jo PIERSON, 2012. "Online Privacy in Social Media: A Conceptual Exploration of Empowerment and Vulnerability," Communications & Strategies, IDATE, Com&Strat dept., vol. 1(88), pages 99-120, 4th quart.
    4. Jessica K. Breadsell & Joshua J. Byrne & Gregory M. Morrison, 2019. "Household Energy and Water Practices Change Post-Occupancy in an Australian Low-Carbon Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-20, October.
    5. Elizabeth V. Hobman & Karen Stenner & Elisha R. Frederiks, 2017. "Exploring Everyday Energy Usage Practices in Australian Households: A Qualitative Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-24, September.
    6. Smith, Adrian & Voß, Jan-Peter & Grin, John, 2010. "Innovation studies and sustainability transitions: The allure of the multi-level perspective and its challenges," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 435-448, May.
    7. Fuentes, Christian & Enarsson, Petronella & Kristoffersson, Love, 2019. "Unpacking package free shopping: Alternative retailing and the reinvention of the practice of shopping," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 258-265.
    8. Levesque, Antoine & Pietzcker, Robert C. & Luderer, Gunnar, 2019. "Halving energy demand from buildings: The impact of low consumption practices," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 253-266.
    9. Alison Browne & Will Medd & Ben Anderson, 2013. "Developing Novel Approaches to Tracking Domestic Water Demand Under Uncertainty—A Reflection on the “Up Scaling” of Social Science Approaches in the United Kingdom," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(4), pages 1013-1035, March.
    10. Jessica K. Breadsell & Christine Eon & Gregory M. Morrison, 2019. "Understanding Resource Consumption in the Home, Community and Society through Behaviour and Social Practice Theories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-18, November.
    11. Shove, Elizabeth & Walker, Gordon, 2010. "Governing transitions in the sustainability of everyday life," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 471-476, May.
    12. Røpke, Inge, 2009. "Theories of practice -- New inspiration for ecological economic studies on consumption," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(10), pages 2490-2497, August.
    13. Pooley, Colin G. & Horton, Dave & Scheldeman, Griet & Tight, Miles & Jones, Tim & Chisholm, Alison & Harwatt, Helen & Jopson, Anne, 2011. "Household decision-making for everyday travel: a case study of walking and cycling in Lancaster (UK)," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 1601-1607.
    14. Cynthia Pfeiffer & Melanie Speck & Carola Strassner, 2017. "What Leads to Lunch—How Social Practices Impact (Non-)Sustainable Food Consumption/Eating Habits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-17, August.
    15. Fuentes, Christian, 2015. "How green marketing works: Practices, materialities, and images," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 192-205.
    16. Elizabeth Shove & Gordon Walker, 2007. "Caution! Transitions Ahead: Politics, Practice, and Sustainable Transition Management," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(4), pages 763-770, April.
    17. Feiereisen, Stephanie & Rasolofoarison, Dina & De Valck, Kristine & Schmitt, Julien, 2019. "Understanding emerging adults' consumption of TV series in the digital age: A practice-theory-based approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 253-265.
    18. Ossi Heino & Annina Takala & Pirjo Jukarainen & Joanna Kalalahti & Tuula Kekki & Pekka Verho, 2019. "Critical Infrastructures: The Operational Environment in Cases of Severe Disruption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-18, February.
    19. Troy Malatesta & Jessica K. Breadsell, 2022. "Identifying Home System of Practices for Energy Use with K-Means Clustering Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-21, July.
    20. Hanna Mela & Juha Peltomaa & Marja Salo & Kirsi Mäkinen & Mikael Hildén, 2018. "Framing Smart Meter Feedback in Relation to Practice Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    21. Melissa Archpru Akaka & Hope Jensen Schau & Stephen L Vargo, 2022. "Practice Diffusion [Value Creation in Consumption Journeys: Recursive Reflexivity and Practice Continuity]," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 48(6), pages 939-969.
    22. Fuentes, Christian & Svingstedt, Anette, 2017. "Mobile phones and the practice of shopping: A study of how young adults use smartphones to shop," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 137-146.

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