Iceberg Model of Culture-What Is It About?

In 1976, Edward T. Hall developed the iceberg analogy of culture. The models shows that some aspects of culture are visible, which are above the water. However, there are larger portion of aspects hidden beneath the surface. 

   The external or visible part of culture is what we can see and is the tip of the iceberg. This part of culture includes dress, traditions, behaviors, artifacts, customs ,heroes and symbols. The internal, or subconscious part of culture is below the surface of a society. This part include beliefs, assumptions, values, world views, perceptions and attitudes. These aspects of culture are underlie behavior.

   Hall suggests that the only way to learn the internal culture of other people is to actively participate in their culture. When one first enters a new culture, only the most overt behaviors are apparent. As one spends more time in that new culture, the underlying beliefs, values and thought patterns that dictate that behavior will be uncovered. That means we cannot judge a new culture based only on what we see when we first enter it. We must take time to get to know individuals from that culture and interact with them. Only by dong so can we uncover the values and beliefs that underlie the behavior of that society. This is what Iceberg Model really meant.