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Judith Butler first developed the theory of performativity in Gender Trouble (1990). Performativity is the view that social constructs and the identities that depend upon them are based in repeated imitations of social norms, and do not exist prior to or independently of repeated imitation of these norms. Performative approaches to identity radically reframe what it means to “be something” (e.g., a man/woman, straight/lesbian, etc.) by showing how identities are effects of repeated behaviors instead of internal qualities that are expressed through behaviors.
Butler discusses performativity in the context of gender. From a performative perspective, gender identity is not an internal essence that is expressed through behavior, but is instead an effect of repeated behaviors that imitate gender norms. For example, “a man” from a performative perspective is someone who repeatedly imitates masculine gender norms. This view contrasts with normative perceptions that gender identity is something that exists prior to and independently of behavior, and that gendered behavior is an expression of a pre-existing gender identity.
For example: if I am a man, then this is typically thought to mean that I am a man “on the inside” first and that because of this I then act like a man “on the outside” as an expression of inner “manness.” In other words, “acting like a…
