Monalisa Irmayanti Hasibuan(Mid Test)

 

Name : Monalisa Irmayanti Hasibuan

NIM :1888203026

Class : 5.2

Course: Cross Cultural Understanding

MID SEMESTER TEST

CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

SEMESTER V

Please answer the questions below briefly:

1. Give your own idea/opinions about:

a.  Culture

Answer: In my opinion, culture is the identity or a way of life of a society. Each culture has its own differences and characteristics that can be interpreted through the way they communicate. And in this case, language is needed to communicate. So that we can conclude that language is a culture that can be learned by all others.

b. Interculture

Answer: Describes communities in which there is a deep understanding and respect for all cultures. In an intercultural society, no one is left unchanged because everyone learns from one another and grows together. 

c. Cross culture

Answer: Deals with the comparison of different cultures. In cross-cultural societies, one culture is often considered “the norm” and all other cultures are compared or contrasted to the dominant culture.

d. Multiculture

Answer: Refers to a society that contains several cultural or ethnic groups. People live alongside one another, but each cultural group does not necessarily have engaging interactions with each other.

2. Give one example of cultural conflict and offer the solution for its adjustment!

Answer: Cultural conflict occurs as a result of ethnocentrism, misinterpretation, and stereotype. One of the example comes  from Nationality stereotypes. Nationality stereotype is a system of culture-specific beliefs connected with the nationality of a person. For example, when Indonesians visit other countries such as Japan, they generally feel culture shock. Japanese people are very known for their individualism and are very organized in all things, especially the time. Meanwhile, Indonesians are known for being friendly. This is what will make us feel uncomfortable in another country because we are used to our culture and feel strange with other cultures.

A common reason for cross-cultural misunderstandings is that we tend to interpret others’ behaviors, values, and beliefs through the lens of our own culture. To overcome this tendency, it is important to learn as much as you can about the other party’s culture. This means not only researching the customs and behaviors of different cultures but also by understanding why people follow these customs and exhibit these behaviors in the first place.

3. How do you define:

a. Mosaic

Mosaic is the mix of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures that co-exist within society. The idea of a cultural mosaic is intended to champion an ideal of multiculturalism. 

b. Melting pot

The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogenous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a common culture. 

c. Stereotype

A stereotype is a fixed idea or image that many people have a particular type of person, thing, or event, but sometimes it is not true in reality.

d. Prejudice

Prejudice is a baseless and often negative preconception or attitude toward members of a group. Prejudice can have a strong influence on how people behave and interact with others, particularly with those who are different from them, even unconsciously or without the person realizing they are under the influence of their internalized prejudices. When people hold prejudicial attitudes toward others, they tend to view everyone who fits into a certain group as being "all the same."