Sociology - The ‘Cultural Iceberg’ model, developed by Weaver (1986)

Sociology

The ‘Cultural Iceberg’ model, developed by Weaver (1986) building on Edward T. Hall's theory.

This graphic represents a "cultural iceberg", a model developed based on anthropologist Edward T. Hall's theory of culture. Imagine that this iceberg represents our culture(s) - there are "surface" or external cultural elements that we regularly put on display (about 10%), and there are cultural elements that are more internal and sometime subconscious. Elements of ourselves that belong to deep culture are not always obvious, even to us.

Respond to the following questions bringing in sociological terms from the assigned chapter: 

- Discuss both external and internal elements of your culture(s) or a culture(s) with which you are familiar/comfortable discussing using this model as a guide (you can bring in 2-3 examples for each).

- Further reflecting on this model, provide an example of real and ideal culture from a culture(s) with which you are familiar. 

- How does this model help us approach and engage with cultures that are different from ours?