The Sinasina “Big Man” Complex: A Central Culture Theme

Abstract

There is no more fundamental problem in inter-cultural relationship, be it in the missionary sphere or any other, than the differences people have in basic outlook and motivation. The problem is highlighted in this article in a useful way, which is none the less enlightening for being over-simplified. One caution may be in order: Most societies probably have more than one extremely important cultural theme. These sometimes reinforce each other and sometimes exist in tension. The search for the integrating, dynamic factor in a culture is not easy, but it may be most rewarding.