Culture describes a certain set of customs, ideas, and social behaviour of a group of similar people in a society. Geographical borders usually segregate cultures. Some characteristics like language, religion, food habits, social norms, music and arts stay specific in one particular culture. Throughout the world, we have a variety of cultures. Cultures have been maintained from time immemorial and have been handed down from one generation to another. Cultures help people connect with each other and build communities, within the same cultural backgrounds. Individuals belonging to the same culture are usually like-minded and have the same ancestral values.
Understanding the Cultural Iceberg
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. The iceberg model of culture examines a culture in the context of an iceberg, which implies that the unseen aspects of a society’s culture are the driving forces between the creation and continuation of the external aspects of culture. The iceberg concept of culture encourages anthropologists and others to look beyond the appearance of a culture (material culture, customs, actions) and ascertain what beliefs and movements in society have affected the formation of these external expressions.
Individuals 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.
Analogy of Cultural Iceberg
Icebergs 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 food, literature, visual/ performing art forms, language, clothing, appearance, grooming, greeting rituals, celebrations and festivals. 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.
When we see an iceberg, the portion which is visible above water is, in reality, only a small piece of a much larger whole. The top 10% of the cultural iceberg is the part that is experienced – the part that affects the senses. These are the expressions of culture, the outermost parts that are meant to be displayed like traditions and festivals. As a result, relatively few of the important parts of a society’s culture are displayed in this layer. This 10% has a relatively low emotional load associated with it.
Examples of the 90% of culture which is out of conscious awareness (under the water) are notions of modesty, concept of beauty, ideals governing child raising, relationship with animals, definition of sin, courtship practices, notions of leadership, concept of past and future, arrangement of physical space, concept of cleanliness, humour, attitudes toward elders, tempo of work, definition of obscenity, nature of friendship, and much more.
Deep below the “water line” are a culture’s core values. These are primarily learned ideas of what is good, right, desirable, and acceptable, as well as what is bad, wrong, undesirable, and
unacceptable. In many cases, different cultural groups share the similar core values (such as “honesty”, or “respect”, or “family”), but these are often interpreted differently in different situations and incorporated in unique ways into specific attitudes we apply in daily situations. Ultimately, these internal forces become visible to the casual observer in the form of observable behaviours, such as the words we use, the way we act, the laws we enact, and the ways we communicate with each other.
The Core Values and its Interpretation
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. Buried further in the cultural iceberg is the interpretation of core values. These behaviours may be better understood and interpreted when individuals who are part of the culture conduct observable behaviours, 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.
The Changing Core Values
While 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.
Author:- Dr.Rachanaa Datey
Founder Director –QUEST EDUSTATION –Trainings and Learning Solutions. Contact: – mailtodr.rachanaa@gmail.com