Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools - Culture Matters

What is Culture?: The Iceberg

Culture has been aptly compared to an iceberg. Just as an iceberg has a visible section above the waterline, and a larger, invisible section below the water line, so culture has some aspects that are observable and others that can only be suspected, imagined, or intuited. Also like an iceberg, that part of culture that is visible (observable behavior) is only a small part of a much bigger whole.

The items that appear below are all features of culture. Keeping in mind that observable behaviors belong above the surface of the water, while the invisible aspects of culture belong below the surface, decide for each feature whether it should be "above" or "below".

 Facial Expressions  Religious Beliefs
 Religious Rituals  Importance of Time
 Paintings  Concept of Self
 Values  Concept of Leadership
 Holiday Customs  Literature
 Gestures  Nature of Friendship
 Foods  General World View
 Concept of Beauty  Work Ethic
 Eating Habits  Rules of Social Etiquette
 Music  Concept of Personal Space
 Concept of Fairness  Styles of Dress
 Childraising Beliefs  Notions of Modesty
 Understanding of the Natural World

Back to Between the Lines Next Page

 

 

 

 
Culture Matters
 

Culture Matters Home Page

Chapter One Contents

Using Culture Matters

Chapter Summaries

Help

 		   

Peace Corps

Receive Updates and News