Sunday 6 March 2011

The Iceberg Model Of Culture

Cultural Iceberg opengecko

Image: Creative Commons License (details and further references here)

The idea of culture as an iceberg reminds us that only a smaller proportion of cultural aspects are more ‘visible’ and therefore more obvious than many other facets of culture which, while far less tangible and visible, are just as essential to our understanding of how cultures work. In fact, the sub-surface aspects shown above will directly influence those on the ‘tip’ of the iceberg. For example, religious beliefs influence holiday customs and notions of beauty influence the arts.

In terms of intercultural education at an International School such as ours, the relevance of this analogy is that we need to take care to focus our learning opportunities on the less visible aspects if it is to be genuinely meaningful. That is not to say that celebrating and learning about the more obvious aspects of culture (such as the three Fs - food, flags, and festivals) is not important – far from it. However, without embracing the important stuff beneath the surface, there is a risk that learning events claiming to raise intercultural understanding do not go deep enough on their own.

To quote from an article I have recently written for our Term 2 magazine:

Visible and obvious cultural aspects – such as clothing, flags, food, performing and visual arts - are often essential to culture and are well worth celebrating, as happens during International Day and other school festivals. However, there are also many cultural aspects of any community which may not be so visible. We need to continually provide our students with chances to reflect on the many beliefs, values, assumptions and expectations which they and those around them hold. Similarly, we should explore various attitudes towards gender, age, social status, time, space and more. What notions of beauty, courtesy, friendship and ‘self’ do we hold? And how do these reflect our own cultural heritages?

To facilitate deep reflection on these vital but less tangible aspects of culture we need to embed such opportunities across the full range of age groups and learning activities, both curricular and extra-curricular.

The iceberg analogy of culture is very common. Below are some links to sites that explain the concept further and in some cases offer a related activity.

  • An alternative version of the iceberg on a pdf file can be found here. A simplified but nicely animated version is here. Another pdf version here divides the aspects in to three parts (doing, thinking and feeling)
  • An exercise asking you to identify where different cultural aspects might be located on the iceberg is here.
  • A good summary of the concept as applied to a school’s planning of a Year 4 unit on understanding other cultures is here. There is a useful point  on turning the iceberg upside down.
  • This impressive cross-cultural training guide by the Peace Corps gives an iceberg activity on page 10 – click here.

53 comments:

  1. A great article. I am going to have my EAL students (M4/5) read this and write a reflection.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great article! Am doing a blog on cultural competency for an occupational therapy assignment. Was wondering if I could utilise your iceberg and if so how would you like me to reference it?

    ReplyDelete
  3. RCHS WAS HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

    ReplyDelete
  4. Theory of the blog is different from others as I have read hundreds of blogs and articles but found such essence nowhere. Impressive writing and deserve a title of unique writing skill.
    ติว igcse ที่ไหนดี

    ReplyDelete
  5. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOI

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are the practical tips for the best Twitter hashtags campaign. The use of appropriate hashtags helps you to followers for twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really loved reading your blog. I also found, your posts very interesting. In fact after reading
    Insta Video downloader

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hy Tere
    i am very impressed after reading this article. This is very helpful for me.
    i have also a great article so Click Here For Vist the Article.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hy Tere
    i am very impressed after reading this article. This is very helpful for me.
    i have also a great article so Click For Vist the Article.
    Also Can Read
    Also Can Read

    ReplyDelete
  10. Getting hitched at a town hall does not imply that you ought to lose every one of the dreams and delights of the most vital snapshot of your life ringschablone. Despite the fact that there would be not all that numerous individuals present in your marriage, regardless you have to give your best to make your wedding an entrancing issue.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really loved reading your blog. I also found, your posts very interesting. In fact after reading
    Click
    Visit
    Click here
    This Page
    Visit page

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think this is a really good article. You make this information interesting and engaging. Paperless Payday Loans

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great article! Am doing a blog on cultural competency for an occupational therapy assignment. Was wondering if I could utilise your iceberg and if so how would you like me to reference it?

    Thanks for this amazing stuff.

    github

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like this article and i'll share it to my friends
    Wood Flooring Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  15. i like your article and you may know about electronics shops in dubai by visiting our site

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kala Lending, LLC was established in March 2009. We want to be your one stop shop to help you in meeting your goals for almost any type of loan that you may need. Explore more about us byVisiting our site

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks For Sharing Nice Post. Its Realy Amazing. Click here to know about Investment

    ReplyDelete
  18. I’m Артур Борис a resident/citizen of the Republic Of Russian. I’m 52 years of age, an entrepreneur/businessman. I once had difficulties in financing my project/business, if not for a good friend of mine who introduced me to Mr Benjamin Lee to get a loan worth $250,000 USD from his company. When i contacted them it took just five working days to get my loan process done and transferred to my account. Even with a bad credit history, they still offer their service to you. They also offer all kinds of loan such as business loans, home loans, personal loans, car loans. I don’t know how to thank them for what they have done for me but God will reward them according to his riches in glory. If you need an urgent financial assistance contact them today via email Lfdsloans@outlook.com  WhatsApp information...+1-989-394-3740

    ReplyDelete
  19. I Like Your Artcile. This Article is Amazing and Easy Tp Understand
    Click For More

    ReplyDelete

  20. for amazing gaming blogs and game commands, game console commands and cheats visit
    https://commandszone.com/ and enjoy the most favourite games and their cheats to play at your level best.
    thank you

    ReplyDelete

  21. The Demolition Derby is a highly addictive game. This fun game is available for free on Xbox Live Arcade and you can also purchase the Demolition Derby 3 Game for the best gaming experience.
    Demolition Derby 3 MOD APK

    ReplyDelete
  22. It also doesn't have too much influence on the customary culture https://techupnew.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. update the latest fm whatsapp features on fmwaapps.com will not let you down

    ReplyDelete
  24. Are you looking for Dhow Cruise then click Dhow Cruise Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for such a valuable post. I am waiting for your next post, I have enjoyed a lot reading this post keep it up.
    제천출장샵
    청주출장샵
    공주출장샵
    논산출장샵
    계룡출장샵
    보령출장샵

    ReplyDelete
  26. You will receive a Sports Welcome Bonus of $2500 in Free Bets if you do decide to register an account with them. Both an iPhone and Android app and a terrific mobile betting site are provided by World777 com. When it comes to their customer assistance, you will have nothing to complain about and they have a large choice of banking alternatives available to players from India.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Whenever applied and eliminated appropriately, gel augmentations are extremely protected. "They're viewed as a better variant of acrylics particularly on the grounds that they don't have the powder or brutal synthetic Best Nail Extension in Noida compounds like methyl methacrylate and toluene," says Seney. You ought to pick gel expansions on the off chance that you need a characteristic look. They are more agreeable than acrylics and they can be taken out effectively without making any harm your nail bed. In the event that you are searching for a less expensive other option, pick an acrylic nail expansion.

    ReplyDelete
  29. These ideas can be developed on APK Mod Modilimitado application platforms

    ReplyDelete
  30. https://www.mysaifco.com/umrah-services-dubai/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great information, would love to share this on my FMWhatsApp that I have downloaded from gbwamod.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for sharing this blog post. I really like it. Download ringtones for your phone at https://klingeltonepramie.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like this model. Unlimited entertainment with games and apps at https://heymods.net/es. Here we provide the latest games and applications today

    ReplyDelete
  34. Czy mogłaby Panie zaktualizować wpis? Jest on bardzo przydatny a zdaję sobie구리출장샵 sprawę, że przez 3 lata mogło się trochę pozmieniać :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like reading an article that will make people think. Also, thank you for permitting익산출장샵 me to comment!

    ReplyDelete
  36. a perfect philosophy. If you have time, you can enjoy free entertainment with https://apktodo.io/es. where to update the best applications and games today

    ReplyDelete
  37. "At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium carven additionally repeated in their wary uncommon development, joined by English varieties from the 1914 arrangement.
    "But I should disclose to you how this mixed up thought of impugning joy and commending ran adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.
    "On the other hand, we impugn with upright irateness and loathe men who are so overwhelmed and unsettled by the charms of delight existing apart from everything else, so dazed by want, that they can't predict the aggravation and inconvenience interesting arduous actual exercise, but to acquire some benefit from it?
    "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus blunder sit voluptatem accusantium parents as their default model text, and a mission for 'Site' will uncover many locales still in their beginning phases.
    "Site dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed guess as their default model text, and a mission for 'Site' will uncover numerous regions still in their starting stages.
    33 from "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" by Cicero are nor as their default model text, and a quest for 'Site' will reveal many sites still in their early stages.

    ReplyDelete