Culture is compared to an iceberg because much of which is invisible like feelings and beliefs but some of
which is visible like behaviors. The behaviors of people from another culture may be seem strange to you
but It probably makes sense to them and vice versa.
Every culture distinguishes itself from other by the specific solutions to certain problems.
a. Those which arise from our relationship with other people
b. Those which arise from the passage of time (In some societies it is more important to know your
plan for the future and in other societies it is more important to know your past accomplishments.)
c. Those which arise from the relation with the environment
It is important to see the culture in relation three dimensions:
.universalrefers to ways in which all people in all groups are the same
.culturalrefers to ways in which a particular group of people have in common with each other and how
they are different from every other group.
.personalrefers to ways in which each one of us is different from everyone else.
We all believe that we observe the reality, things as they are, but what happens is that the mind interprets
what the eyes see and gives it meaning. When the meaning is assigned ,we can say that we have seen
something. The most fundamental of all across cultural problems is the fact that two people look the reality
but they see two different things.
When the meaning given to it by the person who does the action is the same meaning given to it by the
person who observe the action , we can say that is a successful communication.
Internal control\inner directed : the focus of control is largely internal,whithin the individual. Life is
considered “what I do”.
External control\outer directed: the focus of control is largely external to the individual. Life is considered
“what happens to me”
Monochronic\Sequential time : In this type of concept the needs of people are adjusted to suit the
demands of time. People do one thing at a time and finish it before starting someone else, regardless the
circumstances.
Polychronic\Synchronic time: In this type of concept time is adjusted to suit the needs of people. People
often have to do several things simultaneously and it’s not necessary to finish one thing before starting
another.
