Some cultural differences are visible. Others are hidden. Visible cultural elements include artefacts, symbols, and practices such as: art and architecture; language, colour, and dress; social etiquette and traditions. Although they are the most obvious, visible cultural differences make up only ten percent of our cultural identities. The iceberg provides a useful analogy. The small ‘tip of the iceberg’ that can be seen above
the water level represents visible cultural elements. The 90% of the iceberg that remains unseen below the surface represents the hidden cultural differences. Hidden differences include cultural values and assumptions. Values are the worth we attach to something or a broad tendency to prefer one state of affairs to another—for example, freedom of speech,
group harmony, or gender equality. Assumptions are ideas that are accepted as truths to even when there is no proof—for example, ‘I control my own destiny’. Others prefer to explain culture by using the onion analogy. In this model, culture is the deep inner core of abstract ideas that manifest as increasingly tangible outer layers. The inner core equates to the submerged base of the iceberg: values and assumptions. These
fundamental building blocks are encircled by specific beliefs, attitudes, and conventions. Beliefs are like assumptions but more specific: ‘If I achieve material success, I will have greater social status’. Attitudes involve a positive or negative evaluation of an object or idea: ‘The best decisions are made rationally’. Conventions are acceptable behaviours: ‘I eat rice with my hand’. Beliefs, attitudes, and conventions drive cultural systems and institutions. Systems and institutions organise culture into formal practices. Political systems make decisions for societies; economic systems facilitate the production and distribution of products and services; legal systems impose sanctions for deviance from cultural norms; educational systems enable the transmission of knowledge; social systems guide reproduction and child-rearing; and religious systems manage uncertainty. Using the onion analogy, the outer layer corresponds to the tip of the iceberg. It comprises all those visible features that characterise a particular culture. Symbols, for example, and the symbolic behaviours that make up rituals, hold particular meaning that is recognised only by those who share the culture. Man-made artefacts and products— including tools and even computers—are invested with cultural significance. Heroes and legendary figures—people who are dead or alive, real or imaginary—embody the characteristics that are prized in a culture, and serve as models for behaviour. The various parts of a cultural system are interrelated. Together the entire system expresses a group’s attempts to adapt to its social and physical environment. Melting the iceberg and peeling the onionBoth the iceberg and onion analogies highlight the relative importance of the hidden elements of culture. Cultural problems cannot be resolved at the surface. Focusing on the visible features of culture alone will not prevent misunderstanding and conflict. Tangible cultural features, such as differences in language or dress, might present barriers, but the less obvious characteristics of culture cause the most problems. Understanding the values, assumptions, and beliefs of a cultural group is critical to bridging cultural differences. For an effective resolution, it is necessary to dive beneath the surface or peel away the outer layers and focus on core values. These elements are invisible and subconscious. They are often overlooked. ResearchSpencer-Oatey, H. (2000). Culturally speaking: Managing rapport through talk across cultures. London: Continuum.
Felicity Menzies is CEO and Principal Consultant at Include-Empower.Com, a diversity and inclusion consultancy with expertise in inclusive leadership, unconscious bias, cultural intelligence and inclusion, gender equity, empowering diverse talent. Felicity is an accredited facilitator with the Cultural Intelligence Centre and the author of A World of Difference. Felicity has over 15 years of experience working with and managing diverse workforces in blue chip companies and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand. Felicity also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  July 19, 2017 In today's global marketplace, understanding cultural dynamics is more important than ever. Having a good understanding of cultural influences can help employers and human resources managers avoid taking adverse action against individuals based on cultural misunderstandings. Analogy of Cultural IcebergIcebergs peak over the water, revealing just a small portion of their total mass. Culture is similar in that people at first just see a small portion of a person's culture based on things such as clothing, appearance, speech, grooming, greeting rituals, music, arts, or dances. However, these observations comprise just a fraction of a person's culture. Just like with a physical iceberg, a cultural iceberg contains essential characteristics beneath the surface. Core ValuesUnder the water line of the cultural iceberg are many important components of culture. This includes the ideas, preferences and priorities that comprise individual attitudes and values. A culture's core values include its understanding of what is wrong and right and good and bad. Additionally, this is what individuals in the culture have learned about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior in society. Core values teach children and adults about the importance and manifestation of honesty, respect, and integrity. However, there may be different situations in which these values may be asserted or interpreted in a different way. Interpretation of Core ValuesBuried further in the cultural iceberg is the interpretation of core values. These behaviors may be better understood and interpreted when individuals who are part of the culture conduct observable behaviors, such as which words people use to talk, the tone of voice they use, the laws that are passed, the mannerisms they use when interacting with others, and the ways that they communicate with others. Other people interpret cove values by observing how individuals behave in their professional lives. Changing Core ValuesWhile people may grow up with teachings regarding core values, these values may change over time. New experiences and shifts in cultural views may shape a person's core values. However, these changes often do not occur quickly or without complication. Many core values become part of the culture's external image to others. They are often passed on from one generation to the next and continue to influence individuals who are part of the culture. The core values may guide, teach and influence individuals. In addition to the teachings that individuals receive from their parents and what they are taught in an educational setting, other cultural influences include the media and the laws that are passed. These factors influence social norms and shape a person’s ideas about how they see the world and what they decide matters to them. Understanding the Cultural IcebergIndividuals may be able to see and describe certain aspects of culture by simple observation. However, they can develop a better understanding of deeply rooted ideas by studying formative factors, reflecting on their own core values and analyzing observed core values of members of the culture. Simultaneously, they can be open to the idea that individual values may differ. Cite this article: Lynch, N. (2017). The Cultural Iceberg Explained. Available: https://www.lynchlf.com/blog/the-cultural-iceberg-explained/ Why is culture considered an iceberg?Culture is very similar to an iceberg. It has some aspects that are visible and many others that can only be suspected, guessed, or learned as you grow to understand cultures. Like an iceberg, the visible part of culture is only a small part of a much larger whole.
Why is it called the iceberg theory?The Iceberg Theory (also known as the "theory of omission") is a style of writing coined by American writer Ernest Hemingway. The theory is so named because, just as only a small part of an iceberg is visible above water, Hemingway's stories presented only a small part of what was actually happening.
What is an example of a cultural iceberg?The very first step of using the Iceberg Model is to focus on events or visible cultural practices. For instance, a person from one culture who visits a different culture might get a cultural shock upon noticing the difference in dressing styles, food choices, lifestyles, and the way people greet each other.
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