Name : Rezah Yusniaroh

Class : A2/5
NPM : 1188203075

CHAPTER 9
CULTURAL CONFLICT
When people in a new place or in new country, they must get the cultural conflict. It can make
people confused or get difficulty in communication with another that have different culture. Sometimes,
misinterpretation may happen in such condition. From those problems, people must aware toward
different cultures that may cause cultural conflicts. How they can have a good communication without
any difficulties of understanding or misinterpretations.
Having conversation or communication with people from different culture is not easy. It involves
differing perceptions, attitudes, and interpretations. Even two people from the same culture can have
communication problems. Words and attitudes can unintentionally hurt people each other. Those
problems may happen if people do not have the benefit of shared experiences. (i.e., language and culture).
Language and cultures is needed in success communication. Cultures determine a general style for their
members. Beside, language can help people in communication with another.
Misinterpretation may happen in communication with people from different culture, but it not
every time. When cultural conflict do arise, they may be perceived as personal rather than cultural. For
example: A young woman from one culture is looking out of the window and sees a male acquaintance
from another culture. He signals to her by puckering his lips. She quickly looks away from the window.
Later she ignores him. He is confused and she is angry. There is the misunderstanding between them.
The womans failure to understand the mans nonverbal signal. The woman think that his gesture show a
sexual advance. But, the man saying his nonverbal as Oh, there you are. Ive been looking for you. If
both of them know about each others nonverbal communication, they can avoid it. So, it is really
important for us to learn other cultures, not only verbal but also nonverbal communication.
Difficulties of different culture communication appear when there is a little or no awareness
divergent cultural values and beliefs. This ethnocentrism can result in negative judgments about the other
cultures. One of manifestation of ethnocentric attitudes is people become critical of individuals from
different cultures. Sometimes negative reactions do not result from actual interaction but from the fixed.
Stereotypes often shape peoples perceptions of each other. Stereotypes develop from many sources like
movies, television, textbooks etc. Stereotypical can prevent us from seeing people as individuals with
unique characteristics. The negative stereotypes can lead to prejudice, suspicion, intolerance, or hatred of
other cultures. Stereotypical can occur in daily conversations and may or may not have serious
consequences. There is the best way to break down stereotypes and prejudice namely establishing
personal relationships with individuals from different country or cultures. Cultural conflicts occur as a
result of misinterpretations, ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and prejudice. Preventing these conflicts is
possible with increased awareness of our own attitudes as well as sensitivity to cross-cultural differences.