The Cultural Iceberg

The Cultural Iceberg is a model that illustrates how much of a culture is visible and easily observed, like language, dress, and customs (above the surface). Most of the culture, however, lies beneath the surface—such as beliefs, values, and thought patterns—that are less obvious but deeply influence behavior. Just like an iceberg, what you see is only a small part of the whole. Understanding this helps us appreciate the complexity of different cultures and interact more effectively and respectfully across cultural boundaries.