1. The Three “Ps” Practices – Products - Perspectives
AP Culture
The Three “Ps”
Practices – Products - Perspectives

2. Cultural Practices
Practices—are patterns of social interactions, behaviors. Practices involve the use of products. They represent the knowledge of “what to do when and where” and how to interact within a particular culture. (It refer to patterns of behavior accepted by a society)

3. Cultural Practices Examples 1
Rites of passage (quinceañera)
The use of forms of discourse (e.g., use of formal vs. informal forms of address)
The use of space (norms of respect in social interactions) e.g. Preference for closer personal space; avoidance of eye contact when listening or speaking to authority figures

4. Cultural Practices Examples 2
The social “pecking order” meal times (the father goes first)
Table manners gestures and other nonverbal forms of communication turn-taking (in conversation or in games)
Playing behaviors
Traditions related to holiday celebrations
Shopping behaviors
Socially appropriate behaviors for interviewing, dating, weddings etc. (Chaperon)

5. Cultural Products
Products—are the tangible or intangible creations of a particular culture. They reflect a culture’s perspectives.
Tangible products: paintings, a cathedral, a piece of literature, a pair of “castaňuelas”
Intangible products: an oral tale, a dance, a sacred ritual, a system of education, a law

6. Cultural Products Examples 1
Tangible Intangible toys
Household items, tools & pottery
Musical instruments
Traditional and contemporary dress
Types of dwellings & foods

7. Cultural Products Examples 2
Political cartoons
Dance & music (Cumbia, tango etc)
Language, literary styles/genres, & literature artwork (e.g. magic realism)
Social, economic, political institutions (e.g., siesta, the educational system of a country), Sports equipment

8. Cultural Perspectives
Perspectives—the philosophical perspectives, meanings, attitudes, values, beliefs, ideas that underlie the cultural practices and products of a society. They represent a culture’s view of the world. (traditional ideas and attitudes)

9. Cultural Perspectives Examples 1
The traditional patriarchal structure grants the father or oldest male relative the greatest power
Familismo is the value of family over individual or community needs and the expression of strong loyalty, reciprocity, and solidarity among family members
Household size is larger.
A basic feature of the Hispanic/Latino family is the extended family, which plays a major role in each family member's life

10. Cultural Perspectives Examples 2
The majority of Hispanics believe that God is an active force in everyday life. Faith and church are often central to family and community life (Cities)
Food plays an important role in the Hispanic culture.
Hispanics come from a collectivistic culture where group activities are dominant, responsibility is shared, and accountability is collective.

11. Cultural Perspectives USA
Youth valued over age or vice versa
Importance of individual freedom; independence
Importance of family
The belief that bigger is better valuing of sports/entertainment over education
Values attached to bilingualism, multilingualism, monolinguals
Value of having (ownership) belief that humans are part of the natural world and must respect and care for it
Value associated with personal privacy

12. USA Cultural Ps’ Relationship
In the U.S., youth has traditionally been valued more than old age (a perspective). As a result, products that purport to prolong youth and vitality (e.g., face creams, high fiber breakfast cereals, and fitness equipment) have become an integral part of our culture. At the same time, practices that are perceived as prolonging youth and health are encouraged: school children have physical education to promote physical exercise; many invest in running shoes (products) or join a fitness club (product); some take extreme measures to look younger and have plastic surgery (practice) or wear clothes associated with a younger set (products).

13. Latin Cultural Ps’ Relationship
In Spain, bread is considered a fundamental part of every meal (perspective). Fresh, long loaves of bread (products) are baked and sold daily in panaderías (products). At the table, people break off (rather than slice) pieces of bread from the long loaves and often use the bread to scoop food onto eating utensils (practices). Butter isn’t served with the bread (practice).

14. Cultural Comparisons
Understanding the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
Discover perspectives, practices, and products that are similar and different from their own culture, and they develop the ability to hypothesize about cultural systems in general.
Whatever the form of a cultural product, its presence within the culture is required or justified by the underlying beliefs and values (perspectives) of that culture, and the cultural practices involve the use of that product.

15. USA vs Latin Culture Comparison Example 1
Perspective:
Individualism vs. Community
Americans have an allegiance to "individualism" -- the belief that "the good society" is one in which individuals are left free to pursue their private satisfactions independently of others, a pattern of thinking that emphasizes individual achievement and self-fulfillment. (John Locke)

16. USA vs Latin Culture Comparison Example 2
Latinos drive more for a "public spirit" which derives to a common purpose and concern for the common benefit of all peoples. They learn to "pay attention" to ways in which they are dependent on and collectively responsible for the institutions that shape their common life. They view themselves as members of a larger community. Because of the emphasis on collectivity, harmony and cooperation among the group tends to be emphasized more than individual function and responsibility.

17. USA vs Latin Culture Comparison Example 3
Practice:
American dream vs Social Justice
American dream promised an unheard of degree of individual freedom, an unlimited opportunity to compete for material well-being, and an unprecedented limitation on the arbitrary powers of government to interfere with individual initiative. (Market and capitalism mentality)

18. USA vs Latin Culture Comparison Example 4
Latinos: beginning with their families (responsibilities shared equitably between parents and extended family and living together) and their places of work (increased worker participation). Then through educational and religious institutions, which are in sync with their moral ideals of social justice.
They begin to participate in public projects from young age. "When citizens are engaged in thinking about the whole, they find their conceptions of their interests broadened, and their commitment to the search for a common good deepens."

19. USA vs Latin Culture Comparison Example 5
Product:
United States Declaration of Independence vs Carta de Independencia Nueva Granada (5 nations together)
Americans hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

20. USA vs Latin Culture Comparison Example 5
Latinos developed institutions that recognize their interconnectedness with each other and the world "where the common good is the pursuit of the good in common."