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Full name and IC No: Dorothy Melody(950809145562)

Date: 10/3/2019

Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)

Semester/Year 4/19
Student’s Name Dorothy Melody
Student’s ID No: 071170194
Course Code LLS203/05
Course Title Cross-Cultural Psychology
Class Code 7CUL1
TMA No: 2
No. of pages of this TMA 8
(including this page)

Tutor Dr. Chua

Course Coordinator
T-DF TMA Declaration Form (version #002/2017)
Question 1

Based on the article, culture can be defined as the way we express our
ideas and feelings. Culture is a shared product of the society which differs from each
other and each has its own unique features. The article also refers to culture as a form
of communication. It is a language that the people understand Referring to the Oxford
dictionary, 3 different meanings were given. The first meaning of culture is talking
about the way of life, which is also known as beliefs of a certain society. The other
definition of culture is to grow certain kinds of cells, tissues or organs for scientific
purposes. It is also known as the breeding of living things in a controlled
environment. In order to produce the result expected. The other meaning that was
given is that culture means the certain way that you are supposed to work in a certain
organisation. The organisation makes a certain way of behaving as the culture of the
organisation or the workplace (Cambridge University, 2019). Culture is derived from
the Latin word called as ‘cultura’, which is stemmed from colere. This word brings
the meaning of cultivating something (Sathiavan.S, Phoon. H.S & Emmanuel.J,
2015). Kroeber and Kluckhohn (1952) defined culture as consisting “of patterns,
explicit and implicit, of and for behaviour, acquired and transmitted by symbols,
consisting the distinctive achievement of human groups ... the essential core of culture
consists of traditional (i.e., historically derived and selected) ideas and especially their
attached values. My understanding of culture is the way people behave and the that
certain is practiced by the whole community. Anyone who comes in contact with the
society will have to behave the same manner in order to be part in that community or
association. `
Geert Hofstede once said that the principle of surviving in a multicultural
world is that one does not have to behave, act and feel the same way in order to agree
on practical issues and to cooperate. This quote tells us that we can all be different
culturally and have totally different ways of living our lifes but at the same time we
can still accept each other as how we are. This can be done very effectively through
communication. Which is the reason why communication and culture is so closely
related. Communications is something that is very important not only in this era but it
has always been that way since the beginning. Communication based on the Oxford
dictionary states that it’s a way of expressing feelings or sending information to
someone that can be done through various methods. Culture has always been a
secondary product that came after communication. People in a community do not sit
on purpose and plan the cultures that they would have in their community, it is
something that ha been created through communication such as social interaction.
The other connection that we can see in culture and communication is the
ability to preserve and continue a culture. Without the presence of media that comes
in many forms such as television, radio, Facebook, Instagram and so on which are
also forms of communication cultures of many groups could not be preserved and
sustained through the fast advancing generations.
Language can be defined as a system used to communicate by speaking,
writing, or any forms of sign language that people could understand. Different
language is used in different parts and regions of the world. Language can come in
many forms but in every form it’s main purpose is to be able to pass a message.
Language are used in many forms such as speaking, listening and sign language as
well. Sign is a form of communication in which no words are necessarily spoken
or said. For those without the ability to speak would use sign language to
communicate and body language is used widely by almost everyone and every day
and is also much understood by the people around. Sign such as ‘bye’ or ‘call me’
are very simple and common signs that are used and understood as well. One of
the main example that we can see that shows the importance of a language is the
ability to achieve a certain goal or mission that has been set. Without a suitable
language, it would not be easy or in fact a person would not be able to achieve
whatever he or she needs to achieve. Even to complete a simple task without
language would be impossible. Language has been brought into light due to the
desperate need to communicate. Just because a person is blind physically does not
mean that he or she would not be able to communicate, they would be able to do
so through hearing. Hearing enables them to know how to speak and communicate
with the people around them. the ability to hear is their tools in other words is a
form of language that is used towards communication. As for deaf people on the
other hand, would only be able too see things so sign language was developed
over the course of years. It has been an effective way for these people to
communicate, pass a message and accomplish smalls goals like delivering the
message.
Language is not only a means of communication but a very important
aspect of culture as well. The major cultures would be represented by a main
language that would be represented by a whole country. Through this method the
language tends to become the means that is used to communicate among anyone
and everyone. Nevertheless, the culture of the minorities are kept by using their
own languages among their own small community. These minority cultures and
societies are the ones that built and developed the cultures in our current society
because without that the world might just end up with one or two cultures.
The relationship that we can find between language and culture is the
fact of t’s ability to introduce and immerse the culture that is behind that language
itself. Learning a complete new language can be a little crazy especially in the
beginning but if it is mastered, it would be very rewarding experience throughout.
The language makes the person connect sociolinguistically as well and they would
also have the need to be able to relate to the anthropology side of the language.
This would be happening slowly but surely. Languages brings the culture that is
involved in it which is the they style they talk in which shows the origins. For
example, Malaysian mostly speak the Malay Language as their first language but
English which is the second language is widely used as well as the second
language and the ‘speaking habits’ of Malaysian can be very much differentiated
compared to the English spoken by the British or the American people.
A particular culture is the backbone or the main item in a language.
Culture is the whole framework that forms a language itself. Communication has
both verbal and non-verbal and it affects the development and the ability to
sustain a culture. Verbal is when it is done through the word of the mouth.
Nonverbal communication is also very common these days such as media.
Everything is introduced, enjoyed and appreciated by not only one particular
group of people but by everyone whose watching. They teach people on why
certain groups of people do certain things and how the interact between each
culture.
Insider’s understanding on cultures and the ability to appreciate them is a
part that has to be developed. Living in Malaysia it is so important for us to be
able to understand and live in peace with each other. Malaysia is a country full of
diverse cultures, races and religion. As long as they don’t take the effort to
understand these cultures on how and why thy behave or do things in a specific
manner, we would not be able to live in peace and harmony.
It is imperative that we develop insider’s understanding and appreciation
on cultures is because we be able to learn and interact with each other in a much
better way. This is important because as we learn to interact and communicate
with each other better, we would be able to work together and achieve greater
things. When we don’t understand a certain culture, we tend to misinterpret
certain behaviours. This example can be seen clearly when Asians would not look
at people at their eyes while speaking as it would be seen as disrespectful. This on
the other side of the world would be seen as very disrespectful when a person does
not look at the eyes while speaking.
It is also vital for us to develop understanding of certain cultures in order
to eliminate or to reduce the xenophobia. Xenophobia is a feeling of hatred,
andger or fear that is shown towards a person who seems ‘different’ or easier said
a person from a different culture. This can definitely be reduced and could under
control if we as a community living together would just try to learn more and
understand other races and cultures (Michelle, 2016). Some Hindhus would keep a
pail of water outside of their house and would always wash their legs before going
in. this is especially uncomfortable when we are living in an apartment or
condominium because the house corridors are small. People with different
cultures in the beginning would definitely find it weird but as we learn about their
culture, we would realise that they do this because they believe that after coming
home they need to wash off all ‘unwanted’ things. This is the reason why it is
important for everyone to learn and to understand cultures. Definitely we cannot
be doing that or every single culture but starting with the people around would be
a good start.

It is very important for us to understand these cultures as each of them

are indeed very unique in their own ways and are vital in order for us to be able to
appreciate and understand why people do certain things.

There are many ways that we can start if we really don’t know how
and is unable to understand the cultures around us. The first step is to become self-
aware of the needs to do so. For that to happen, we need to be able to put aside our
selfish desires and learn to be more considerate towards the people around us. We
would also need to work out our personal biases, values and beliefs. Doing our
own research can also help because we would know which areas that we are
curious and need to find out and can get direct information. One of another easiest
way that we can understand and appreciate diverse cultures especially the people
around us by just as simple as asking them question. Being fully aware and careful
not to hurt the other person we can ask why they do certain things. This would
enable us to know the reason and not get angry by just assuming why they do
things. We can also learn to be more accepting by removing every kind of
stereotypes. This is an important factor because society has set orders of how a
woman or a child or a person should be like and when we see them from those
eyes, we can become very judging towards them.

There are so much of benefit that we can gain by learning to accept

other cultures. By learning and understanding these cultures it makes us more
united as a society and as a person living on this earth. Being united opens the
doors or great opportunities and success that we cannot even dream of achieving
as a solo person. If we can just focus towards the goal ahead and putting aside our
differences, we can actually make a difference in this world. As for now we can
only start the change by first changing ourselves.
Question 2

a) What was the intercultural conflict about?

The word intercultural can be defined as something that involves more than one
culture or something that involves 2 or more people or issues from different ethnic groups
(Beamer, L and Varner, I 2011). Conflicts has always existed since the dawn of the history
of men. Conflict between individuals; conflict between groups; conflict between
civilisations(Varner and Barrier, 2011). In between this conflict one of the main cause is
culture which can be defined as the way the society of the people behave in. The conflict that
I faced myself with a person from a different culture is during the celebration of Chap Goh
Meh. I initially found this situation very much distressing. This was because on that particular
day, I had to drive my friend who was having a severe asthma attack to the hospital. I did not
know how to inform or communicate to tell the rest that I have an emergency situation and
that I need to get out of the are and to the hospital as soon as possible. Chap Goh Mei is a
festival that is celebrated by most of the Chinese community in Malaysia. This celebration is
also widely known as the Lantern Festival. This would be the last day of the Chinese New
Year celebration. On this day as well, they would have lion dancing, lucky draw, a special
event for those who are single and many more. The main part that can be distressing is that
the roads would be completely blocked for at least 5 to 6 hours during that day. That was why
I found if very difficult to understand the need of blocking up the whole main road and
causing so much of other problems. This was my initial feeling and thinking that was going
on through my mind, I felt like I couldn’t help this friend of mine who was in need of urgent
medical care.

The other situation that I faced an intercultural conflict with a person from a
different culture is when I had to complete a project together with this boy who was a Malay
and it was during the fasting month which is also known as the Bulan Ramadhan. This
project holds about 30 percent of my whole test. As we were doing this together, we divide
the work load and agreed on which date we would come together with our work and
combined them. then after 1 weeks, on the day that we were supposed to meet he was not
answering my call and not replying my messages as well. I had no choice but to not meet him
on that day. The following day he messaged me and said that he was sorry and that he had
slept off because he was too tired on that day then after that we planned to meet up that night.
Then when we had met up, he told me that he could not complete his work. Then I said ok we
still have time about 1 week left, so everyday I would call to remind him and to check on him
if he has done his part of the project. After 2 days he still did not complete the work.

b) Were you expected to back off or ‘give face’?

In this situation, as I was driving through the jam and the keeping my friend beside
me, I was definitely not in a situation to ‘back off’ or in other words to give up or to turn
back. This is not because I need to save myself from being embarrassed or anything but
because this is a matter of a person’s life, backing off was not an option. The ‘face’ concept
in our intercultural conflicts play such an important role in creating these conflicts and
solving them as well. Children from a very young age are taught about taking care of the face
which means not to bring embarrassment to the family. So, as I was rushing on the road, for
those who did not understand I was definitely expected to back off in the sense to not
overtake the cars and cut lanes which can seems rude at times. Since there were the
celebration that was going on, there were relatively a large number of traffic police officers as
well as RELA who came to control traffic and make sure that everything starts and ends
safely. One of the officers asked me to slow down, but as I explained my situation he
understood and told me to put n the double signal and instructed the other cars to give way
which can also be said as to give face to me. After seeing the police officer, itself instructing
them to give way, the rest of the cars mostly moved and was very cooperative towards
following that instruction.

In the second situation that I have stated I was expected to ‘give face’ because he is
obviously fasting and I had to be understanding enough but the thing is until how long. And
the question is am I willing to sacrifice my project and my marks for this matter. Backing off
would not be an option for me because I can give face but I had to confront him and take
some kind of serious action to make sure that the work we are doing are done on time to get a
high score. The concept of the ‘face’ is an important factor in dealing with any kind of matter
especially in an Asian country. In this case, this scenario show that my friend Abdul is a
person who is more collective rather than individualistic because he chose to continue the
fasting instead of just replacing it to another day. He chose to sacrifice his project instead.

c) How different were your ‘fighting styles’?

There are a few fighting syles that can be used in this first case scenario. Aggression
cannot be used as we were dealing with the police officers and this would also not be suitable
because they were celebrating their own cultural festival, in which I had to be undersanding
towards. And in most situation this method would not be a suitable way to communicate as
we are dealing with adults who has the ability to understand and behave in a matured manner.
The method that I used in this situation where action should be taken immediately is by
combining both assertive and passive communication. I spoke directly of my situation to the
officer and at the same time did not want to be so demanding or to sound too proud. Which
was why I chose these 2 methods. Assertive method is when you explain the situation in a
forward manner, considering both people on how the feel and valuing each other as a person.
For the second situation I decided to use aggression and assertive communication or
fighting style because I had to make it clear that we need to get our job done on time and with
quality as well. I told Abdul in a stricter manner implying that I would want to see the result
as soon as possible. Of course, in the beginning it was more of a passive way of
communicating. Where I comply the message to him but I tried my best not to shake the boat.
Then I decided to inform our teacher who told us to complete the project, he advised us on
how to solve the problem. He called Abdul in and asked him and spoke to him on his
inability to complete the work on time.
 d) How was the intercultural conflict eventually resolved?
At the end, the officers instructed the cars to give way, and I was able to pass
through despite the heavy jammed areas. The other cars were able to give way and to
understand my situation as well.
For the second situation, the whole matter was resolved by the teacher talking to
this friend of mine and were able to behave and act in a matured manner. The key to solving
these conflicts was the ability of both us to communicate, give in and understand each other’s
problem. At the same time, in solving a conflict it is important to settle the matter in order to
bring a proper closure without making the matter grow out of proportion. In the second
scenario that I stated, of course I had to understand my friend because he had to fast for about
12 hours and also had to do his daily work normally. Nevertheless, our project work had to be
completed on time, so I made sure that both was done in an orderly and a systematic manner.

Reference
Beamer, L and Varner, I (2011) Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace, 5th
edn, McGraw Hill International Edition.
Editor, N. (2017, March 08). Role Of Languages In Culture. Retrieved from
http://www.mydaily.news/2017/03/role-of-languages-in-culture/
Mcdonald, M. M. (2016, May 20). Benefits of Learning about Culture. Retrieved March 22,
2019, from http://www.pursueaction.org/benefits-learning-cultures/
Varner, I and Beamer, L (2011) Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace,
Singapore: McGraw Hill.