The Iceberg Metaphor
The metaphor of culture as an iceberg has been around for many years. Gary Weaver, Brooks Peterson, and many other scholars have used this metaphor to explain that many cultural expressions are visible, or "above the waterline," while other cultural behaviors, attitudes, habits, assumptions and values are less visible, or "below the waterline."
While many graphic versions have been developed to illustrate the iceberg metaphor, I like this image, developed by Language and Culture Worldwide LLC (LCW), for many reasons. It reminds us that behaviors and practices stem from deeply-held core values as well as how individuals in a culture interpret those values and put them into practice. It suggests that there are many institutions that influence and shape those core values, such as religion, history, the media, economics, the family, and educational systems.
But graphical representations can only go so far. Study abroad students must learn to observe how people act and behave, then ask questions to find out more about the values, interpretations, expectations and beliefs that shape their actions and behaviors. The important thing to realize is that many attitudes and behaviors are based on values and expectations that often are implicit or assumed by people in another culture. They can be discovered and identified, but it takes extended time interacting with others to fully understand them.
Read on for examples of "more visible" and "less visible" aspects of culture.
But graphical representations can only go so far. Study abroad students must learn to observe how people act and behave, then ask questions to find out more about the values, interpretations, expectations and beliefs that shape their actions and behaviors. The important thing to realize is that many attitudes and behaviors are based on values and expectations that often are implicit or assumed by people in another culture. They can be discovered and identified, but it takes extended time interacting with others to fully understand them.
Read on for examples of "more visible" and "less visible" aspects of culture.