The Reflexivity Iceberg

Summary

The video script uses the iceberg metaphor to differentiate between self-reflection and critical reflexivity. While self-reflection focuses on visible aspects of our identity and practice, critical reflexivity delves into the less visible, deeper forces like power structures and dominant knowledge systems. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding these underlying influences on our actions and beliefs.

Takeaways

• 🏔️ The iceberg metaphor represents the visible and invisible aspects of self-awareness and understanding.
• 🔍 Self-reflection is the process of examining one's own thoughts, behaviors, and actions, which is likened to the visible tip of the iceberg.
• 🌊 Critical reflexivity delves deeper into the underlying structures and systems that influence us, akin to the submerged portion of the iceberg.
• 🤔 The script encourages questioning both the surface and deeper levels of personal and professional practice.
• 🌐 Power structures and dominant knowledge systems are identified as deeper forces that may not be immediately visible but significantly impact our actions.
• 💡 Making the invisible visible requires a different approach and line of questioning, indicative of the need for critical reflexivity.
• 🧐 The 'water' in the metaphor represents the cultural and societal norms that shape our perceptions and actions, often unnoticed until contrasted with another culture.
• 🌈 Cultural shock serves as a catalyst for recognizing and understanding the 'water' or cultural context one is immersed in.
• 🔑 Engaging in critical reflexivity is the key to becoming aware of and understanding the assumptions, ideologies, and biases that influence us.
• 🌟 The script emphasizes the importance of paying attention to and questioning the 'water' or cultural influences that shape our worldview.
• 📚 The process of self-improvement and professional development is enhanced through both self-reflection and critical reflexivity.

Q & A

What is the metaphor of an iceberg used to illustrate in the script?

The iceberg metaphor is used to explain the difference between self-reflection and critical reflexivity. The visible tip of the iceberg represents self-reflection, focusing on understanding one's identity and actions. The submerged part symbolizes critical reflexivity, which delves into deeper, often invisible forces like power structures and dominant knowledge systems.

What is self-reflection according to the script?

Self-reflection is the process of looking at oneself to improve one's practice. It involves understanding who we are in the world and how our ways of thinking and being shape our actions and professional practice.

What are some questions that might be considered part of the 'tip of the iceberg'?

While the script does not list specific questions, the 'tip of the iceberg' questions would likely pertain to one's visible actions, thoughts, and behaviors that directly influence their professional practice.

What does the 'underneath the water' part of the iceberg represent in the metaphor?

The submerged part of the iceberg represents the deeper forces that shape us and our work. These forces might include power structures, dominant knowledge systems, and other societal influences that are not immediately visible.

What is critical reflexivity?

Critical reflexivity is the process of engaging with and questioning the deeper, often invisible forces that shape our identities and actions. It involves paying attention to how we are influenced by these forces and becoming aware of their presence.

What does the script suggest about the visibility of power structures and dominant knowledge systems?

The script suggests that power structures and dominant knowledge systems are not necessarily visible and may require a different line of questioning to make them visible. They are part of the 'underneath the water' aspect of the iceberg metaphor.

How does experiencing another culture relate to understanding the 'water' in the iceberg metaphor?

Experiencing another culture and the resulting culture shock can help us become aware of the 'water' we are swimming in, which represents the cultural, societal, and systemic forces that shape us. It's a way of making the invisible visible.

What role does attention to the 'water' play in critical reflexivity?

Attention to the 'water' is crucial in critical reflexivity as it involves noticing and questioning the assumptions, ideologies, and biases that are present in the cultural and societal forces that shape us.

How can one engage in critical reflexivity according to the script?

One can engage in critical reflexivity by paying attention to the deeper and invisible forces that shape them, questioning the assumptions and biases within their environment, and reflecting on how these forces influence their actions and identity.

What is the significance of making the invisible forces visible in the context of the iceberg metaphor?

Making the invisible forces visible is significant because it allows for a deeper understanding of how societal and systemic influences shape our identities and actions. This deeper understanding is crucial for self-awareness and for making informed decisions in our professional and personal lives.

What assumptions or biases might be 'alive in the water' according to the script?

The script does not specify particular assumptions or biases, but it implies that these could include societal norms, cultural expectations, and systemic biases that are often taken for granted and operate beneath our conscious awareness.