Handout

International Communication and Negotiation Skills

Muhammad Fidel Kreshnayuda – 12010120190118

The Concept of Power in Intercultural Communication

• Culture is a learned patterns of behaviours and attitudes shared by group of people.

• Communication is a symbolic process where reality is produced, maintained, repaired, and transformed.
• Power is the ability to influence, control, manipulate, or manage others. In Intercultural Communication,
Power dynamics is the way power distributed, negotiated, and contested between individuals and groups
with different cultural background.
• Communication can be used as a way to gain power, and Power can be used to control / manipulate
communication.
o Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of the country, but there are also over 700 local
languages and dialects spoken throughout the archipelago. Those who speak Bahasa Indonesia
fluently and with proper grammar may be seen as having greater education and social status, and
therefore more power in certain contexts. Additionally, the use of Javanese, Sundanese, or other
local languages in certain settings may signify a closer connection to traditional culture and
community, which can also hold a different form of power
• Group Related Power:
o Primary Dimensions -age, ethnicity, gender, race, sex.
Indonesia, men generally hold more power than women, and members of the dominant Javanese
ethnic group may have more power than members of minority ethnic groups.
o Secondary dimensions - educational background, geographic location, marital status,
socioeconomic status
a wealthy person may have more power than a person with lower socio-economic status, even if
they belong to the same ethnic group.
• Grouping Based on Influence
o Dominant Group – Those who hold more power, privilege, and influence in society due to position
in the social hierarchy. have more access to resources, education, and political power, and their
cultural norms and values are often seen as the norm or default
o Subordinate Group - those who have less power, privilege, and influence in society due to their
position in the social hierarchy.
o Example, in the island of Java, Javanese people may be considered the dominant cultural group
due to their larger population and historical influence in the region. However, in other regions,
such as Papua or Aceh, the dominant cultural group may be different due to the unique history and
cultural traditions of those areas
• The Dialectical Perspective emphasizes that power and communication are not static or fixed, but they are
constantly changing and evolving in response to one another. Simply, communication can be used as a tool
to exert power and control over others, but it can also be a means of resisting or challenging dominant
power structures. For example, the government has historically used communication to exert power and
control over the population. The New Order regime, led by President Suharto, controlled the media and
used it to propagate their ideology and maintain their grip on power.
• From Communication Perspective, Communication can be used to establish and maintain power relations
between individuals or groups, and it can also be used to challenge or resist power relations. For example,
dominant groups may use communication to reinforce their power by creating and spreading stereotypes
about subordinate groups. On the other hand, subordinate groups may use communication to challenge and
resist dominant groups by creating counter-narratives that challenge the dominant group's stereotypes

Power in intercultural communication refers to the ability of individuals or groups to influence others' beliefs,
values, and behaviour through communication. It involves the distribution and negotiation of power between
individuals or groups from different cultural backgrounds. In intercultural communication, power dynamics can
be influenced by factors such as language proficiency, nonverbal communication, cultural knowledge, and
social status. These factors can affect how individuals or groups communicate and how they perceive one
another. For instance, individuals who are more proficient in the dominant language of a society may have more
power to influence communication and decision-making processes than those who are less proficient. Power can
also be asymmetrically distributed between dominant cultural groups and subordinate groups. Dominant cultural
groups are those that hold more power and resources in a society, while subordinate groups are those that have
less power and may face discrimination or marginalisation. This power imbalance can affect communication
patterns and lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and unequal outcomes.

How Identity can Impact Intercultural Communication

• Identity refers to the way individuals or groups define themselves in relation to others based on various
aspects, such as cultural background, race, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, and more. It shapes how
individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others.
• Avowal is the process by which an individual portrays himself or herself.
• Ascription The process by which others attribute identities to an individual.
• Three universal aspects of Identity:
o Individualised - unique characteristics and attributes that define an individual as a separate entity
from others. This includes aspects such as personality traits, interests, and personal goals.
o Familial - roles and relationships an individual has within their family unit. This includes aspects
such as being a parent, child, or sibling, and the cultural values and norms that are associated with
those roles.
o Spiritual - individual's connection to a higher power or belief system. This can include religious
affiliations or personal beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life.
• Identity can Impact communication because it shapes attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviours. These
factors influences how we perceive and interact with others from different cultural backgrounds. E.g. If a
person identifies strongly with their ethnic group, they may have certain beliefs and behaviours that are
specific to their culture, and they may view other cultures through the lens of their own cultural identity.
o person who identifies strongly with their culture may be more likely to engage in ethnocentrism,
which is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. This can lead to misunderstandings
and conflict when interacting with people from different cultures who may have different beliefs
and values.
o person's religious identity may impact their communication style.
o various ethnic groups with distinct cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Each group has its own
unique identity, which influences how they communicate and interact with others. For instance,
Javanese culture emphasizes respect for authority and hierarchical relationships, while Balinese
culture emphasizes communal harmony and equality.

Identity impacts intercultural communication because it influences how people perceive, interpret, and respond
to messages from others. Our sense of identity is shaped by our individual experiences, familial and cultural
background, and spiritual beliefs, which all affect how we view ourselves and others. These perceptions can
result in biases and stereotypes that affect our communication with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Additionally, our identities can affect our communication styles, language use, and nonverbal behaviours, which
can also influence how we interact with others.

The Role of Non-Verbal Communication

• Non-Verbal Communication – any form of communication that does not involve words or language.
• Semiosis process of creating meaning through signs, Signs are any object, sound, or gesture that stands for
something else, Signifiers is the physical form of the sign, Signified is the meaning of the sign.
o stop sign is a sign that uses the colour red, an octagon shape, and the word "STOP" as its
signifiers. The signified is the message that is communicated, which is to come to a complete stop
at an intersection. In this way, the signifier and signified work together to create meaning.
• Non-Verbal Communications in Int. Communication helps convey meaning beyond the spoken words.
o avoiding eye contact is often seen as a sign of respect, while direct eye contact can be viewed as
confrontational or aggressive. In contrast, in many Western cultures, direct eye contact is seen as a
sign of honesty, confidence, and trustworthiness.
o silence is often used to convey respect, humility, and thoughtfulness. In contrast, in some Western
cultures, silence can be viewed as awkward or uncomfortable, and may be interpreted as a lack of
interest or engagement.
o pointing with the index finger or making a fist can be seen as rude or threatening in Indonesian
culture, while in some Western cultures, pointing with the index finger is a common way to draw
attention or emphasize a point.
o physical touch with those they do not know well or are not related to, as it is seen as invasive or
inappropriate. In contrast, in some Latin American cultures, physical touch such as hugging or
kissing on the cheek is a common greeting even between strangers.
• If we don't do nonverbal communication, the meaning of the message we are trying to convey may not be
fully understood by the receiver. Nonverbal cues often provide important context and meaning to a
message, and without them, the message can be ambiguous or unclear.

The Impact of Intercultural Transitions

• Intercultural transitions refer to the process of moving from one cultural environment to another and the
changes and adjustments that individuals or groups may experience in their behaviours, attitudes, and
beliefs as a result of the transition.
• Several Impacts are:
o Culture Shock - disorientation, confusion, and anxiety as individuals try to adapt to the new
culture. Indonesian student who moves to the Netherlands for university may experience culture
shock due to the differences in social norms, values, and ways of life
o Language Barriers - Indonesian who moves to the Netherlands may need to learn Dutch in order to
effectively communicate with the locals
o Communication Style - Indonesia, it is common for people to use indirect communication and
avoid conflict, while in the Netherlands, direct communication is valued and people are more
willing to engage in conflict. These differences can create misunderstandings and affect the
effectiveness of communication between individuals from different cultures
o Identity Formation - the process of developing and establishing a sense of self or personal identity.
Indonesian who moves to the Netherlands may begin to question their cultural identity and may
experience feelings of homesickness and nostalgia for their home country.
• Ways to minimise the negative impact and maximise the positive aspects of intercultural transitions:
o Develop Intercultural Competence - developing skills and knowledge about different cultures, such
as learning about their customs, values, and communication styles. By developing intercultural
competence, individuals can better understand and navigate cultural differences.
o Seek Support - It's important to seek support from others who have gone through similar
experiences, such as joining support groups or seeking guidance from mentors. Having a support
system can help individuals process the emotions and challenges that come with cultural
transitions
o Maintain a Sense of Self - Cultural transitions can sometimes lead individuals to question their
own identity and sense of self. It's important to maintain a sense of self and to be true to one's own
values and beliefs, while also being open to learning from and adapting to new cultural
experiences.
o Be Patient and Flexible - Cultural transitions can take time and require patience and flexibility. It's
important to approach cultural differences with an open mind and a willingness to learn and adapt,
rather than expecting others to conform to one's own cultural norms.
The Impact of Popular Culture

• Popular Culture is the cultural products and practices that are produced and consumed by the general public
through TV, Songs, Movies, etc.
• Encoding is the process of putting thoughts or messages into a code or language that can be understood by
the receiver. Decoding is he process of interpreting and understanding the encoded message. important in
intercultural communication because they can be influenced by cultural differences. The way a message is
encoded or decoded can be influenced by cultural norms, values, and beliefs, which may be different
between different cultures.
• Popular culture can have a significant impact on intercultural communication by influencing the way people
perceive and understand other cultures. Exposure to popular culture, such as movies, music, and TV shows,
can shape people's beliefs, attitudes, and values about different cultures. This can lead to stereotypes,
biases, and misunderstandings that can affect communication and relationships between individuals or
groups from different cultures.
• popular culture can also be a tool for promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation. For example,
Indonesian filmmakers can use movies to showcase their culture and values to a global audience.
Indonesian musicians can create music that fuses local and Western styles, creating a unique sound that
celebrates their culture while appealing to a global audience.