What is the "Iceberg Effect"?#
In psychology, the "Iceberg Effect" refers to the fact that most of a person's psychological activities, emotions, motivations, etc., are hidden beneath consciousness, with only a small part being directly observable. Just like an iceberg, only 10% is above water, while the remaining 90% is hidden beneath the sea. This concept was first proposed by Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, who believed that the human psyche is divided into consciousness, preconsciousness, and unconsciousness, and that the deep motivations that often influence our behavior are those that we are not even aware of ourselves (Freud, 1915).
Case Studies#
Case 1
Zhang Ming (a pseudonym) is a middle manager at a company, usually gentle with others and always smiling during team collaborations, making everyone think he is a "nice guy." However, during a promotion competition, he suddenly revealed a colleague's dark secrets in a high-level meeting, causing the other person to lose the opportunity. Afterwards, his colleagues were shocked: "He is not that kind of person usually!" In reality, Zhang Ming's competitive spirit and jealousy had always existed, just masked by his outward gentleness. This is a typical example of the "Iceberg Effect"—what you see is only what he wants you to see.
Case 2
Li Ting and Wang Qiang have been married for 5 years, and to outsiders, they are a model couple. But one day, Li Ting suddenly filed for divorce, claiming she was "fed up." Wang Qiang was completely bewildered: "Haven't we always been good?" In fact, Li Ting's dissatisfaction had accumulated over many years—her husband's neglect, conflicts with her mother-in-law, financial pressure... These emotions were suppressed in her subconscious until one day they erupted completely. The emotions beneath the iceberg will eventually surface.
Why Are We Deceived by the "Iceberg Effect"?#
- Social Masks: Psychologist Carl Jung proposed that people wear different "masks" in different situations to hide their true selves.
- Self-Defense Mechanism: People unconsciously suppress negative emotions, such as anger and fear, until they can no longer bear it and then explode.
- Cognitive Bias: We tend to believe "seeing is believing," but overlook the complex motivations behind behaviors.
How to See Through the Truth Beneath the "Iceberg"?#
- Observe Details: Micro-expressions, unintentional words, habitual actions are often more genuine than surface-level speech.
- Listen to Implications: When someone says "it's nothing," it may mean "it's a big deal."
- Self-Awareness: Is your emotion really just a "momentary impulse"? Or has it been brewing for a long time?