See: Beyond Culture by Edward Hall and List of Concepts
Notes about the Cultural Iceberg by Edward Hall (via Google Bard):
Sure, here is an explanation of the Cultural Iceberg:
The Cultural Iceberg is a model of culture developed by Edward T. Hall in his book Beyond Culture (1976). The model compares culture to an iceberg, with the visible aspects of culture being the tip of the iceberg, and the hidden aspects of culture being the submerged part of the iceberg.
The visible aspects of culture are the things that we can see and hear, such as language, dress, food, and art. These aspects of culture are relatively easy to learn and understand.
The hidden aspects of culture are the things that we cannot see or hear, such as values, beliefs, and assumptions. These aspects of culture are more difficult to learn and understand, but they are just as important as the visible aspects of culture.
The Cultural Iceberg model is a helpful way to understand that culture is more than just the visible aspects. It is also important to be aware of the hidden aspects of culture, as these can have a significant impact on our behavior and interactions with others.
Here is a table that summarizes the visible and hidden aspects of culture:
| Visible Aspects of Culture | Hidden Aspects of Culture |
|---|---|
| Language | Values |
| Dress | Beliefs |
| Food | Assumptions |
| Art |
The Cultural Iceberg model is a useful tool for understanding culture and how it can impact our behavior. It is important to be aware of both the visible and hidden aspects of culture, as these can both have a significant impact on our interactions with others.
Here are some examples of the hidden aspects of culture:
- Values: Values are the things that we believe are important in life. They are the foundation of our culture and they shape our behavior. For example, in some cultures, it is important to be respectful of elders, while in other cultures, it is more important to be independent.
- Beliefs: Beliefs are the things that we hold to be true. They are often based on our values and they can also shape our behavior. For example, in some cultures, people believe that it is bad luck to cross paths with a black cat, while in other cultures, this is not a concern.
- Assumptions: Assumptions are the things that we take for granted. They are often based on our culture and they can lead to misunderstandings with people from other cultures. For example, in some cultures, it is assumed that people will arrive on time for appointments, while in other cultures, it is more common to be late.
The Cultural Iceberg model is a reminder that culture is a complex and nuanced thing. It is not something that we can easily understand or learn. However, by being aware of the visible and hidden aspects of culture, we can better understand others and avoid misunderstandings.
See also: Concept: Human Stack
[Author’s Note: The above text was AI-generated and may not be accurate. The overarching intent behind this blog post is to provide a starting point for discussions among aspiring community builders. Just as startup founders can benefit from startup oriented content (such as those provided by accelerators and incubators), community builders can benefit from community building oriented content. If you are an aspiring community builder, please contribute to the discussion by commenting on this post]