What are the motifs in The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven?

Human/Alien understanding is a constant motif in this story.The plot and characters constantly reveal how impossible it is for an individual to understand how truly alien a species is. Moties and humans alike assign the other's actions meanings based on their own perspectives. Examples such as Sally being convinced her alien couldn't lie to her, Moties missing the impact of the Watchmakers on MacArthur or the extent of human curiosity when played out around the cycle museums all demonstrate this point.