Cultural onion

The cultural onion is a metaphor or model for the pictorial representation of culture. The model was developed by cultural scientist Geert Hofstede. To begin with, an interactive learning module on the cultural onion can be found here.

Symbols

Hofstede describes culture as an onion consisting of different layers. The outer layer corresponds to the cultural characteristics of people. This layer means the so-called symbols. Symbols are words, gestures, pictures or objects that have a certain meaning, which is only recognized as such by those people who belong to the same culture. As simple examples of symbols can be mentioned the hairstyle, clothes or flags. In addition, other markers can occur that are also ‚visible‘. These include language, gestures and facial expressions. Symbols are not fixed, but are subject to change over time. Symbols of specific cultural groups influence each other.

Heroes

The next layer in Hofstede’s onion model is heroes: „Heroes are persons, dead or alive, real or fictitious, who possess characteristics that are highly regarded in a culture; they therefore serve as models of behavior.“ (cf. Hofstede 2001, 8) Examples of heroes from American culture may include former President John F. Kennedy as well as comic book characters or television personalities such as Batman, Rocky, or Rambo.

Rituals

The third and penultimate layer in the onion model is called rituals. Hofstede describes rituals as „collective activities that are actually superfluous to the achievement of desired goals, but are considered socially necessary within a culture“ (cf. Hofstede 2001, 8). Examples of rituals include gestures of greeting or acknowledging another person as well as social and religious customs. These include oral greetings such as Hallo, Moin, or Servus in the German language, as well as physical greetings in the form of shaking hands.

Practices

The first three layers are visible to an observer, although their significance for the culture cannot be readily inferred by the observer. These three layers can be grouped under the term ‚practices‘. Practices can be easily imitated by outsiders, but the meaning behind the actions is usually not perceived.

Values

The core of the cultural onion is formed by values, which are described by Hofstede as „general tendencies to prefer certain circumstances“ (cf. Hofstede 2001, 9). Values are also defined as feelings with a strong positive or negative orientation. In child rearing, values play a special role because they are among the first contents that the child learns in his or her life. Most people are not aware of their values because they are learned early in life and unconsciously. Moreover, they are used daily, which also contributes to their subconscious use.

Different points of focus and perspectives

In general, it should be noted that there are different ways to understand, what culture means:

Anthropological perspective: Culture refers to the shared beliefs, customs, traditions, behaviors, and social institutions of a specific group of people. It encompasses the way of life, values, rituals, and practices that are passed down from generation to generation within a community.
Sociological definition: Culture can be seen as the set of learned behaviors, norms, symbols, and material products that characterize a society. It includes language, art, religion, laws, technology, and other elements that shape human behavior and interactions.
Organizational context: Culture in an organizational sense describes the values, norms, attitudes, and behaviors that define the work environment and interactions within a company or institution. It influences how employees and management interact, make decisions, and perceive the organization’s mission and goals.
Popular or Mass culture: This encompasses the mainstream, widely shared aspects of culture within a society, often including entertainment, media, fashion, and other elements that appeal to a broad audience and reflect prevailing trends and tastes.
Personal or Individual culture: Each person also has their own cultural background and experiences that shape their identity, beliefs, habits, and perspectives. This personal culture is influenced by familial, regional, educational, and societal factors unique to an individual.
High culture vs. Popular culture: Some discussions differentiate between high culture, which includes classical arts, literature, and forms of artistic expression typically associated with intellectual elites, and popular culture, which includes more mainstream, widely consumed cultural products such as movies, television, and contemporary music.

Interesting: The iceberg model of culture

Literature

Tomasello, Michael (1999). „The Human Adaptation for Culture“. Annual Review of Anthropology. 28: 509–29. doi:10.1146/annurev.anthro.28.1.509

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