CROSS CULTURE UNDERSTANDING

CULTURE SHOCK OF INDONESIA

To Complete The Mid-Semester Exam Assignments

Lecturer :
Mrs. Nur Irma Yanti, S.S., MA

Created by :
ANNISA KHARISMA SURIYADY - 1988203007
ROBYANSYAH - 1988203006

SEKOLAH TINGGI KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN

MUHAMMADIYAH SAMPIT
TAHUN 2021
 BAB I
INTRODUCTION

A. Background
Humans are social creatures who always interact with each other, be it with
others, customs, norms, knowledge or the surrounding culture. In fact, we often cannot
accept or find it difficult to adjust to the differences that occur as a result of these
interactions, such as problems with technological developments, different habits from a
friend from a different region or ways that become habits (language, tradition or
norms). From one area while we come from another area. From a relationship of social
interaction, it creates a new culture that begins with a process of cultural acculturation.
The diversity and patterns in each regional culture make it a distinctive feature
for every human being on this earth, various kinds of cultural differences can be seen,
among others, from the form of clothing, language, body posture, various kinds of food,
customs that govern a certain area. and much more. Sometimes we are faced with a
reality that is slightly different from our culture, so we feel foreign when we are in a
certain area. At first when someone is faced with such a position, he will assume that he
feels ostracized by the people who live in his environment. But over time, and the
intensity of a person interacting with new people in his environment, he will find a
comfort and can even adopt a new culture that exists in the new environment.
Humans are socio-cultural creatures who acquire their behavior through
learning. What we learn is generally influenced by social and cultural forces. Of all
aspects of human learning, communication is the most important and most basic aspect.
We learn a lot from communication responses to stimuli from the surrounding
environment. We must encode and decode messages in such a way that they will be
recognized, received, and responded to by the individuals with whom we interact.
When done, communication activities serve as tools for interpreting our physical and
social environment.

B. Problem Formulation
What is the process of culture shock and adjustment problems in a new
environment?
 BAB II
DISCUSSION

A. Understanding
Culture shock is a disease related to work or position suffered by people who
suddenly move or are transferred to a certain area. Like most other diseases, culture
shock also has its own symptoms and treatment. Culture shock is caused by anxiety
caused by the loss of signs and symbols in social interaction. These signs include a
thousand and one ways that we exercise self-control in everyday situations: when to
shake hands and what to say when meeting people, when to give tips, how to shop,
when to accept and decline invitations. , when to make statements in earnest and when
otherwise. These clues, which may be in the form of words, gestures, facial
expressions, habits, or norms, we acquire throughout the course of our lives from
childhood. The same applies to other aspects of our culture, such as our language and
beliefs. For the sake of peaceful life, we all depend on these hundreds of instructions,
most of which we do not carry with us consciously.
When one enters a foreign culture, all or almost all of the clues disappear. He
is like a fish out of water. Even if you are broad-minded and well-intentioned, you will
lose your grip. Then you will experience frustration and anxiety. Usually people deal
with frustration in much the same way. First of all they reject the environment that
causes discomfort (Mulyana & Rahmat, 2001; 174). Culture is a concept that arouses
interest. Formally, culture is defined as an order of knowledge, experience, self-
confidence, values, attitudes, hierarchy, religion, time, roles, spatial relations,
meanings, concepts of the universe, material objects and property that a large group of
people acquire from generation to generation through effort. individuals and groups.
Culture manifests itself in language patterns and in forms of activity and behavior that
serve as models for adaptation actions and communication styles that enable people to
live in a society in a given geographic environment at a certain level of technical
development. and at a certain point in time.
Culture is continuous and ubiquitous, culture includes all behavioral
affirmations received during this period of life. Culture is also concerned with the
physical form and structure as well as the social environment that affects our lives.
Most of the influence of culture on our lives we are not aware of. Perhaps one way to
understand the influence of culture is to compare it to electronic computers: we
 program computers to do things, our culture programs us to do things that make us
what we are. Our culture definitely influences us from the time we are conceived until
we die—and even after we die, we are buried in ways that are compatible with our
culture.
Culture and communication cannot be separated because culture not only
determines who talks to whom, about what, and how the person encodes the message,
what he has for the message, and the conditions for sending, paying attention and
interpreting the message. In fact, our entire repertoire of behaviors is highly dependent
on the culture in which we grew up. Consequently, culture is the basis of
communication, if the culture is diverse, then the communication practices are also
diverse.

B. Factors causing culture shock

The phenomenon of culture shock is contextual and is experienced differently
from generation to generation. The factors that drive how culture shock arises will also
be very specific depending on the area where the individual comes from, in which area
the individual is located, as well as in what year or time, will vary greatly.
Fear is the biggest factor that drives anxiety when individuals know they will
occupy a different place in a short period of time. This fear will cause anxiety and will
spread to a lack of self-confidence. With this lack of self-confidence, individuals will
tend to get less than optimal results in interacting or trying to adjust to their new
environment. This is something that must be addressed immediately so that it does not
become sustainable.
According to Parrillo (2008), obtained from the site, there are several factors
that influence culture shock, namely:
1) Social factors
In this factor, individuals tend to experience fear of social differences in each
new place. This fear makes individuals feel awkward in dealing with new situations,
new places to live and new atmospheres. As a result of not understanding this
association, the individual will also feel alienated from the people around him who are
new to him.
2) Technological factor
Today the development of technology is accelerating rapidly. The development
of increasingly sophisticated technology causes people to always want to try to keep up
with technological developments in order to be able to compete in the global world.
Technology is also an important factor in influencing the emergence of culture shock
problems. Individuals are afraid of not being able to keep up with technological
developments in their new place of residence so that individuals tend to feel fear.
Individuals here are required to think hard about how to be able to follow technological
developments and be able to apply it in their lives.
3) Geographical factors
Geographical factors are identical to the geographical conditions in the area.
This geographical factor is a physical environmental factor, for example, differences in
weather, differences in the location of areas such as coastal areas and mountainous
areas. This will cause the individual to experience health problems.
4) Daily language factor
Language is a reflection of a civilized culture. Language cannot be taken lightly
these days. Individuals who experience shock to a new culture are often associated with
the language factor as one of the major fears when settling in a new place. Not
mastering or even not understanding the language at all is a natural thing that causes
culture shock.
5) Economic factors
Fear of a different cost of living which has a higher probability is one of the
factors that cause culture shock. It is a common thing that happens that every region in
Indonesia has different consumption capabilities. This difference causes individuals to
shake when faced with the problem of a new place to live. Individuals must start trying,
be prepared and alert to anticipate in order to be able to survive in a new place of
residence.
6) Cultural factors
This factor refers to the traditions that are usually carried out by the people in
each region which in fact have cultural characteristics that are different from one
another. For this reason, individuals must be able to adapt to the customs in their new
area. However, adapting to new customs is not easy for a newcomer, so individuals
tend to experience cultural shock, especially in terms of these customs.
7) Religion factor
Religion is considered as one of the obstacles for individuals in their efforts to
adjust to a new place of residence. Individuals experience their own fear of religion
which is a very vulnerable difference and cannot be easily reconciled.
C. Culture shock Troubleshooting Solutions
From several factors that cause culture shock, the group formulates a solution to
overcome it. These include:
a. Social factors
Individuals must learn to get used to adapting and interacting with their new
environment, with this habituation will foster self-confidence of the individual in
socializing with people and their new environment. Good association will make it
easier for someone to live their social life.
b. Technological factor
Today technology is growing rapidly among many people, the faster technology is
developing, the more people are required to study and apply technology in their
lives. An individual who is in a new environment for him will definitely feel the
difference in technology that develops in that environment, even more so if an
individual who comes from remote areas then comes to an area where the
development of technology is quite rapid.
c. Geographical factors
Because this geographical factor is closely related to the physical condition of the
environment, this can be overcome by taking better care of the individual's health,
which tends to decline when the individual lives in a new place of residence, which
is of course much different from the original place of residence. Good prevention
needs to be done continuously so that individuals remain in prime condition in
carrying out daily activities.
d. The daily language factor
To overcome this, the group provides solutions, including by fostering a willingness
to learn language for each individual when living in a new place. The willingness to
learn the language can be done by asking for help from friends who are from the
area to teach the daily language in the area.
e. Economic factors
These economic factors can be overcome by means of good financial management
according to the needs of each individual, so that individuals can adjust their
financial income with their expenses. During the education process, it is better for
individuals to also carry out saving money programs, to overcome unexpected
needs.
 f. Cultural factors
Basically, the attachment of culture to an individual requires a process and time, it
doesn't just happen. The solution according to the group is that individuals must be
more open to customs, habits, and behavior that generally occur in society. In this
way, it is hoped that individuals can better avoid the occurrence of culture shock.
g. Religion factor
The solution is that individuals must further increase their tolerance between
religious communities.

D. Problems of Adjustment in a Cultural Environment

Adjustment is a dynamic process that aims to change individual behavior so that
there is a more appropriate relationship between the individual and his environment. On
the basis of this understanding, it can be stated that the human ability is able to make
pleasant relationships between humans and their environment.

E. Factors Affecting the Adjustment Process

Overall personality has a function as a primary determinant of self-adjustment.
Determinants are factors that support, influence, or have an effect on the adjustment
process. The determinants of self-adjustment are identical with the factors that regulate
the gradual development and formation of a person. These determinants can be grouped
as follows:
1. Physical conditions, including heredity, physical constitution, nervous system,
gland, and muscular system, health, disease, etc;
2. Development and maturity, especially intellectual, social, moral, and emotional
maturity;
3. Psychological determination, including experience, learning, conditioning, self-
determination, frustration, and conflict;
4. Environmental conditions, especially family and school;
5. Determination of culture, including religion.
 BAB III
CONCLUSION

A. Conclusion
Culture shock is a cultural shock event when entering a new environment as a
result of cultural differences and a sense of difficulty in adjusting from within. Culture
shock is caused by several factors such as cultural differences, the environment (such as
climate and temperature), relationships, ways of communicating, educational factors,
and food.

B. Opinion
Culture shock is a natural thing experienced by anyone. The differences
between culture and the area of origin give rise to several, both psychologically and
physically. This should not be a barrier in life. Every human being should try to open
himself to his surroundings and make friends. The most important thing is to be able to
find the right method for him to deal with culture shock. We also have to get out of our
comfort zone and not socialize enough with friends or associations from the same area.
Therefore you have to associate with people from different backgrounds to open their
minds. The more people associate with people from diverse backgrounds, the higher
their sense of tolerance and tolerance will be. Thus the impact of culture shock can be
minimized.
 References

Adler, Peter S. (1975). The Transitional Experience: An Alternative View of Culture

Shock. Journal of Humanistic Psychology

Ayuluqyana Putri,Farizqa. (2021) Artikel : Penjelasan Gegar Budaya atau Shock

Culture dan Cara Mengatasi

Eric B., Shiraev dan David A. Levy. (2012). Psikologi Lintas Kultural Pemikiran Kritis
dan Terapan Modern. (Edisi ke-4). Jakarta: Prenada Media Group