In this life there are some kinds of behavior that we never recognized before. We never realize that understanding behavior is very important in purpose of avoiding misunderstanding. Cross cultural understanding study required us to be aware with this kind of discussion. There are three kinds of behavior that need to be understanding according to this study that is Universal Behavior, Cultural Behavior, and Personal Behavior. Each of those behaviors has different meaning.
Universal behavior is an act made by humans based in human biological inheritance passed on through the generations of all mankind and shared to another human all over the world which can affect the way they think and their feeling. In the other word we can imply that universal behavior is a behavior which can be accepted and understood by all people in the world. The example of some body language that probably universal are smiling when happy or greeting another, raising eyebrows or hand waving when greeting another, laughing when amused, partially hiding the face or blushing when coy or embarrassed, startling as a reaction to shock, crying when sad or in pain, body shrug to express, I don’t know, slumping when dejected or tired, etc. These all example is considered as an act which can be accepted in universal society.
The next discussion is about Cultural Behavior. So, what is the meaning of this term. Cultural behavior is a behavior exhibited by humans from different cultural system in the world. As we know, a culture can produce a language, custom, religion, and all of human creation which is used by human in their daily life. This culture is always different in every places, tribes, nations, etc. So, from this all definition we can consider that cultural behavior consist of some act which made by human and can not be understood easily by another human from different culture. A language can have different meaning in different culture. For example are piddling around in American language means not doing anything much, which in British language consider as rude, in Australian language She’ll be right mate means everything is OK, which in British and American language will have different meaning. Some custom from some culture also have a lot of differences. A custom that is common done by a tribe sometimes becomes a weird thing for another. For example are Japanese like to eat raw fish but Indonesian people do not like it at all, Javanese eat beef but Balinese Hindu do not do that. In a religion there are also a differences such as Moslem do not eat pork but Christian do it, Moslem pilgrimage to Mecca but Jews and Christian to Jerusalem. This all example is a fact in this life and make us realize to always respect the differences.
Different with Cultural behavior, the term Personal Behavior has larger meaning for every human being. Personal behavior can be defined as an act made by human personally in purpose of giving reaction with the problem they face on the Cultural and Universal life. There is no certain role about this personal behavior, even they can act inappropriately without being blamed by another people. The behavior is absolutely made by each individual. Every person has a right to behave in every condition that they face on. The example of this behavior are people can smile whether they happy or not, they can eat everything they want even it is not a common food for their society, etc. However, a personal behavior can not be accepted if it is disturbing the peace and society.
After knowing all definition of Human Behavior we have to be aware in the intercultural communication and social life. We must understand that differences are a part of this life and we need to respect it in purpose to create a peace. We also must follow the role that have made by universal people so that we can be a part of society.
RELATED SOURCE
Implications of Universal and Parochial Behavior for Intercultural Communication
By
James Leigh, PhD FRGS
Asst Professor, Campus Coordinator Languages
Intercollege, Nicosia, Cyprus
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