Iceberg Model of Culture

• The iceberg model of culture is a metaphor in intercultural communication.
• A small portion of culture is easily observable, most of it is hidden beneath the surface of awareness.

Visible Culture

• Readily observable aspects include behaviors, actions, and explicit communication styles.
• Language includes spoken words and accents and is part of the visible aspects of culture.
• Dress includes clothing styles and fashion trends.
• Cuisine, culinary practices, and dining etiquette are included in visible culture.
• Greetings, celebrations, and rituals are components of visible culture.
• Visual and performing arts are part of visible culture.
• Building styles and structures relate to the visible components of culture.
• Visible elements form the basis for initial impressions and stereotypes.
• Visible elements can be learned and imitated with ease.
• Focusing solely on visible culture may cause misinterpretations and a surface level of understanding.

Invisible Culture

• Invisible culture shapes values, beliefs, assumptions, and thought processes.
• Unconscious elements require immersion to recognize.
• Values are the core principles that guide behavior.
• Beliefs incorporate convictions and assumptions about the world.
• Attitudes involve feelings towards people, objects, or ideas.
• Thought patterns relate to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Communication styles include nonverbal cues.
• Concepts of time include punctuality in relation to the past, present, and future.
• Social hierarchies and expectations entail the relational component of invisible culture.
• Invisible elements influence behavior and communication.
• Enculturation and socialization allow invisible elements to be learned.
• Recognizing invisible culture is critical for effective communication and building relationships.
• Ignoring invisible aspects may result in conflict, misunderstanding, and cultural insensitivity.

Intercultural Communication

• Exchanging information between different cultural backgrounds describes intercultural communication.
• Intercultural awareness means recognizing personal biases and assumptions.
• Understanding the beliefs of other cultures is key to intercultural communication.
• Showing cultural respect means appreciating differences sans prejudice.
• Empathy is key, as it allows others' feelings to be understood
• Adapting communication styles allows for intercultural communication.
• Challenges include language barriers.
• Nonverbal misinterpretations are a challenge in communication.
• Forming generalizations (stereotyping) is a challenge in intercultural communication.
• Judging other cultures based on one's own culture is ethnocentrism.
• Cultural shock may cause disorientation when adapting to a new culture.
• Interacting with different cultures can improve communication.
• Being open-minded is crucial in intercultural communication.
• Asking clarifying questions ensures understanding.
• Practicing active listening and recognizing nonverbal cues is a strategy.
• Avoid generalizations about cultural groups.
• Being patient and tolerant promotes intercultural communication.
• Understanding biases and assumptions enables better communication.
• The iceberg model highlights the importance of understanding the visible and invisible aspects of culture in intercultural communication.
• A focus on beliefs allows navigation of differences and builds stronger relationships.