Dunbar 2020

As we re-engage with our family and friends after months of limited social contact, I was reminded of the work by British anthropologist, Robin Dunbar, who examined the number of meaningful social connections that we can maintain at the one time.

Through his study of non-human primates, Dunbar was convinced that there is a ratio between brain size and group size which he mapped out using neuroimaging as well as observation of the time spent on the important social grooming behaviour of primates. From this, Dunbar concluded that there is a link between the size of the neocortex (the part of the brain associated with cognition and language) and the size of a cohesive social group.

When Dunbar applied his ideas to humans and explored historical, anthropological and psychological data about group size and stability, he found that the magic number of connections is ‘150’.

Dunbar’s hypothesis has been applied to hunter-gatherer societies, Roman Empire army company size, medieval villages, modern office groupings and even Christmas card lists – and has been found to be remarkably consistent and robust.

With further refinement, Dunbar was able to break down the ‘150’ into smaller groups or ‘circles of relative closeness’. From the 150 ‘casual friends’, there is a smaller group of around 50 ‘close friends’ and then a circle of 15 ‘confidantes’ with an inner circle of about 5 ‘intimates’. While the group sizes are relatively stable, their composition can be fluid with people drifting among the groups and some dropping out as new people enter.

Not surprisingly, the introduction of social media platforms has challenged the relevance of Dunbar’s number. However, when researchers tried to determine whether virtual networks increase the capacity for significant connections, they found that Dunbar’s 150 was still reliable with respect to meaningful engagement.

But more recently, concerns have been raised about the quality of this engagement in a world dominated by virtual interactions. Dunbar and his colleagues have explored the neurochemical changes (particularly endorphin response) in primates to touch and physical presence. They found that our skin has nerve cells that respond specifically to light stroking which promotes endorphin release and creates pleasurable feelings. As Dunbar points out: until social media can replicate touch, it can’t fully replicate social bonding.

Currently, Dunbar is looking at social skills development and how this may be impacted when so many interactions exist online. He notes that as we are not born with full social awareness, we learn how to act by observing others and then have the opportunities to act out our observations ourselves.  Dunbar fears that too much virtual interaction may subvert real life in-person social education which could potentially cause us to be less ‘social animals’ in the future.

In 2020 we have inhabited a substantial virtual world and many of us have noted changes in our willingness, ability and comfort in interacting. One of the consequences has been the inclusion of the ‘comforting canine/feline companion’ in our lives.

While reflecting on my 150 connections, I realised that my new companion, and his gregarious personality at the dog park, has brought in a whole slew of new contacts to my world. Marty’s friends: Shelby (x2), Alfie (x2), Ted, Tucker, Snoop, Fudge, Reuben, Milly, Ellie, Rowley, Moo, Kaya, Jaya, Frankie, Leroy … the list goes on (with their attendant humans), means that I have no space on my 2020 Christmas card list!

However, I will use this last pre-Xmas post to wish all my readers a truly wonderful festive season and conclude with two images sent to me by Sylvia Walsh that reminds us of the joy of non-human contact during this UNPRECEDENTED year.

Seasons Greetings!