Dunbar’s Number is a theory proposed by Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist, that suggests there is a cognitive limit to the number of people with whom a person can maintain stable social relationships. This number is estimated to be around 150.
Imagine your social circle – friends, family, close colleagues. Dunbar proposes that our brains can only comfortably manage relationships with about 150 people at a level where we know who they are, how they relate to each other, and have a sense of connection.
The Science Behind It:
Dunbar arrived at this number by analyzing the correlation between brain size and group size in primates. He then applied this relationship to human brain size and estimated the average number of social connections a human brain can effectively handle.
Real-World Examples:
- Village Sizes: Historically, villages often fell within the 150-person range.
- Military Units: The basic unit size in some armies throughout history has been around 150 soldiers (e.g., Roman companies).
- Social Media Groups: While online connections can be more numerous, close-knit social media groups often hover around the 150 mark.
Dunbar’s Number is a theory that sheds light on the social capabilities of the human brain. While it doesn’t define our exact social circles, it offers a framework for understanding how we manage relationships and connect with others.