Dunbar's Number

Learner Lecture 11/18/14

Julie Nam

1. What it is

2. How it's supported

3. Connection to Virtual Network

Sources (not CRAP!)

• http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/social-media-affect-math-dunbar-number-friendships
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07IpED729k8 (Dunbar's TEDx talk)
• http://www.socialsciencespace.com/2013/11/robin-dunbar-on-dunbar-numbers/
• http://www.npr.org/2011/06/04/136723316/dont-believe-facebook-you-only-have-150-friends
• http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/mar/14/my-bright-idea-robin-dunbar
• http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26dunbar.html?_r=0
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number
• http://www.wired.com/2012/03/dunbars-number-facebook/

1. What is Dunbar's Number?

• Robin Dunbar (Oxford anthropologist/psychologist)

 

• Why do primates have large brains?
• Application to humans

 

• 150 = # of people the average person can have in her social group

Think about your network

• 150, casual friends
• close friends 
• friends you can turn for support & confide in about most things
• close support group - best friends

Think about your network

• 150, casual friends
• close friends  50
• friends you can turn for support & confide in about most things 15
• close support group - best friends 5

What does this mean?

+ 1 significant other,

-1 close group friend

How do you keep people in your groups?

You need to see them (girls: talk, boys: activities)

but not necessarily with family members

2. Is it really true?

• Historical (from 250,000 years ago)
  • hunter-gatherer societies
  • army size

 

• Workplace (150 employees = ideal GORETEX)

 

• Personal (In UK, each household's network about 150)

 

Social Media?

Twitter

Facebook

3. What about Virtual Networks?

• It does slow the rate of decay in relationship

 

• But, despite how easy it makes networking/contacting, it does not expand the number of people in your circle!

 

• So it might even be bad - less time and capacity for close groups (60-40 balance reversed)

• Facebook Experiment in wired.com

Why? Limitations

• Immediacy in response

 

• Importance of Mutual Laughter

 

• Physical Touch
  • "Words are easy. But the way someone touches you, even casually, tells you more about what they’re thinking of you.”

Discussion

• What do YOU think? Do you think social activities on virtual community/networks can be just as relationship-strengthening?

 

• Is it perhaps too far-fetched to say, "liking" or "commenting" aren't additions, but just a part of our limited social interaction quota?

 

• Do you even buy Dunbar's number?