Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar's Brain

Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain

Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard.

In 1992, anthropologist and evolutionary biologist Robin Dunbar proposed Dunbar’s Number — a theoretical cognitive limit on the number of people with whom we can maintain viable social relationships. He pinned that number at 148, or roughly 150. But how does this translate to today’s social media environment of 400-friend Facebook profiles — does it help us beat Dunbar’s number?

We asked the iconic British social anthropologist himself, who addresses the issue further in his new book, How Many Friends Does One Person Need? — we highly recommend it.

The amount of time we invest in a relationship is proportionate to its quality. Face-to-face relationships are simply unmatched by online ones. “A touch is worth a 1000 words any day,” says Dunbar. But what online relationships are good for is to stall the decay of a relationship.

If you don’t go to the pub sooner or later, it will die.” ~ Dunbar

But what of all those huge numbers of online friends, aren’t they worth something? Perhaps kinship. The difference between friendship and kinship is that kin won’t fall apart with time and distance, “you can abuse your kin and they’ll still come,” says Dunbar.

Dunbar argues that having lots of kin means having fewer friends. Imagine your time-budget devoted to relationships as a pie. When you start handing out slices of your time to your friends, if too many people crowd around, no one gets a proper slice. Kinship is more about similar social groups, interests, geographical locations, whereas a friend, defined by Dunbar, is a person you can have a personal reciprocated relationship where you are willing to do each other favors.

Have humans always been able to handle 150 personal relationships? Dunbar explains that our brains have grown over time to handle our more complex relationships. The most taxing on our brain is the romantic kind (monogamous). Pair-bonded species have unusually big brains to do all the work.

Romance is very hard work and extremely costing to maintain.” ~ Dunbar

Will our brains continue to evolve to accommodate this hyper-connectivity? The brain accounts for only 2 percent of your total body weight, but uses 20 percent of your daily energy.

Hold on, someone just tweeted me…

Filip Matous hosts a pop-philosophy video show at standstrong.tv. He currently lives in London and is always seeking to find the next interesting person to interview.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 5:30 am in culture, psychology, social web and was tagged anthropology, culture, interview, psychology, social web, sociology.

RT @BrainPickings: Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain: Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or wh… http://bit.ly/aBJAZl

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

BTRIPP on March 2nd, 2010 at 7:27 am

How many friends is enough? Intriguing thoughts regarding networks and our limitations. http://bit.ly/9hBHwU (@rhetter you may dig this)

mediapeople on March 2nd, 2010 at 7:45 am

Heard Dunbar last year at #Darwin’s bday party–fascinating! RT @brainpicker Is the size of our social circle pre-wired?.. http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

kejames on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:44 am

Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? @filipmatous interviews socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ (via @brainpicker)

bvanmacman on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:46 am

Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? An interview w/ socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ (via @brainpicker)

alivea on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:48 am

Beyond the tag: Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain http://bit.ly/dgafCB

BoraZ on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:57 am

RT @filipmatous: Check my vid RT@brainpicker: The size of our social circle pre-wired? Socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

tweetjosht on March 2nd, 2010 at 9:31 am

RT @brainpicker Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? @filipmatous interviews socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

nakedgen_heledd on March 2nd, 2010 at 9:34 am

Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? @filipmatous interviews socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1dhAP {via @brainpicker

gracerodriguez on March 2nd, 2010 at 9:45 am

How many friends does one person need? An interesting 2 min interview with Robin Dunbar of Dunbar’s number fame http://bit.ly/9vIb2d

davelakhani on March 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am

Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain http://bit.ly/bqocat

tdebaillon on March 2nd, 2010 at 10:48 am

RT @tdebaillon: Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain http://bit.ly/bqocat

MiaD on March 2nd, 2010 at 10:50 am

Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain http://bit.ly/bqocat (via @tdebaillon)

berendjan on March 2nd, 2010 at 11:27 am

RT @berendjan @tdebaillon Beyond the Dunbar No: http://bit.ly/bqocat online relationships are good for stalling the decay of a relationship

rondon on March 2nd, 2010 at 11:32 am

At a cognitive level, people are only able to maintain 150 social relationships. http://bit.ly/dcFYIm

ashleeclev on March 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 pm

If you missed it: Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? Exclusive interview with social anthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

brainpicker on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:19 pm

RT @brainpicker: If you missed it: Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? Exclusive interview with social anthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

misstrina22 on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:19 pm

RT @brainpicker: If you missed it: Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? Interview social anthrop. Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

hunome on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:22 pm

Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? http://ow.ly/1d6rZ *It’s all about the Monkeysphere http://bit.ly/bgQeIX (via @brainpicker)

seanodotcom on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm

RT @hunome: RT @brainpicker: Is size of r soc circle pre-wired? Interview social anthrop. Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ //VERY interesting

HeidiEKMassey on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:26 pm

Friends v Kin: Social Networks, the Dunbar # & why smaller weddings are bettter by @filipmantous http://bit.ly/d2qx0I (HT @brainpicker)

TrackerNews on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 pm

this_moment on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 pm

MLDart on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm

dbroward on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:40 pm

goOodmorning_ on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:41 pm

JaanPill on March 2nd, 2010 at 2:02 pm

RT @brainpicker: Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? Exclusive interview with social anthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

createpei on March 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm

If u missed it: Having 150 friends is impossible, even w/ socialmedia. Socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1ds3C

filipmatous on March 2nd, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? @filipmatous interviews socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ /via @brainpicker

djgraymatter on March 2nd, 2010 at 4:10 pm

RT @brainpicker Is the size of our social circle pre-wired? interview with social anthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

6things on March 2nd, 2010 at 4:13 pm

We can only handle 150 friends? Kinship vs. Friendship. Socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar intrv http://ow.ly/1d6rZ @brainpicker @filipmatous

KevinBrandall on March 2nd, 2010 at 5:39 pm

Beyond the Dunbar Number: Dunbar speaks http://bit.ly/d8Wckg > Connections & friendships

Mandy_Vavrinak on March 2nd, 2010 at 5:54 pm

chuckmetz on March 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 pm

http://bit.ly/d8Wckg How many social connections is too many? Does Dunbar’s number limit who we connect with… http://bit.ly/dudAsV

Mandy_Vavrinak on March 2nd, 2010 at 7:53 pm

Robin Dunbar video interview http://bit.ly/dpVack Who read his book already ? #dunbarsnumber

thibautthomas on March 3rd, 2010 at 1:55 am

A voir > Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain http://bit.ly/dpVack /via @thibautthomas

palpitt on March 3rd, 2010 at 1:59 am

We can only handle 150 friends? Kinship vs. Friendship. Socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ @brainpicker @KevinBrandall

ckburgess on March 3rd, 2010 at 4:32 am

Interesting…RT @ckburgess: We can only handle 150 friends? Kinship vs. Friendship. Socioanthropologist Robin Dunbar http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

MJMudd on March 3rd, 2010 at 5:07 am

Oh dear. Apparently having more than 400 Facebook friends could be bad for your health. (Now who should I delete?) http://bit.ly/d2qx0I

Joelwillans on March 3rd, 2010 at 6:28 am

RT @Joelwillans: Oh dear. Apparently having >400 Facebook friends could be bad for your health. http://bit.ly/d2qx0I

daviddbooks on March 3rd, 2010 at 6:36 am

Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. http://bit.ly/d3DETW

psykotica on March 3rd, 2010 at 1:49 pm

Dunbar has a new book. His theory stated you can’t handle more than 150 friends. So who are the extra 449 ppl on my FB? http://ow.ly/1d6rZ

CoffeeScotch on March 3rd, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain | Brain Pickings http://bit.ly/9FabxI

_Lindiwe_ on March 7th, 2010 at 12:20 am

Interview with Dunbar/why too many social media friends may not be good for you via @brainpicker http://bit.ly/9AqRMp

grmeyer on March 7th, 2010 at 8:40 am

Here’s why we only have #149 members. Prof.Dunbar/why too many social media friends may not be good for ya @brainpicker http://bit.ly/9AqRMp

swagclub on March 7th, 2010 at 9:20 am

Dr Johnson would have had Dunbar’s number http://bit.ly/cc0dSh via @brainpicker “A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.”

JohnPollock on March 7th, 2010 at 2:30 pm

Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. #dunbar http://bit.ly/dgafCB

frogdesign on March 9th, 2010 at 12:37 pm

RT @frogdesign: Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. #dunbar http://bit.ly/dgafCB

timstock on March 9th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

Interesting RT @frogdesign: Kinship vs. friendship, why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. #dunbar http://bit.ly/dgafCB

srgause on March 9th, 2010 at 12:44 pm

missy_kelley on March 9th, 2010 at 12:47 pm

RT @frogdesign: Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends…. #dunbar http://bit.ly/dgafCB

charlieharding on March 9th, 2010 at 12:48 pm

RT @frogdesign: Kinship vs. friendship, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. http://bit.ly/dgafCB

paramoreredd on March 9th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

#shotyz RT @frogdesign: Why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. #dunbar http://bit.ly/dgafCB

kellymaynash on March 9th, 2010 at 1:00 pm

cmozz on March 9th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

How many friends is enough? Interesting thoughts around social networks vs. real relationships: http://shar.es/mHVJY

alayna_design on March 9th, 2010 at 1:15 pm

RT @CoCreatr Kinship v friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy or why 400 FB friends may be a health hazard http://bit.ly/dgafCB

Sprezzatura on March 9th, 2010 at 7:45 pm

http://tinyurl.com/ybwh8q4
Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain | Brain Pickings

so_white on March 9th, 2010 at 7:58 pm

#SXSW Panel: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? How many can we sustain? Starter: http://is.gd/aopvy

brainpicker on March 12th, 2010 at 1:38 pm

#SXSW Panel: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? Dunbar’s limit of 150 relationships: http://is.gd/aopvy

brainpicker on March 12th, 2010 at 1:41 pm

Let discussion begin. PRT @brainpicker #SXSW Panel: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? Starter: http://is.gd/aopvy

MomonMars on March 12th, 2010 at 1:41 pm

RT @brainpicker: #SXSW Panel: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? Dunbar’s limit of 150 relationships: http://is.gd/aopvy

TBWA on March 12th, 2010 at 1:48 pm

(Humans) are a social species, that’s been the nature of our evolutionary success. Robin Dunbar video http://bit.ly/dgafCB via @brainpicker

andrew_w_morse on March 12th, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard. http://bit.ly/d2qx0I

kyraocity on March 12th, 2010 at 1:58 pm

RT @TBWA: RT @brainpicker: #SXSW Panel: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? Dunbar’s limit of 150 relationships: http://is.gd/aopvy

lafalott on March 12th, 2010 at 2:30 pm

Dope link to Dunbar’s rule of 150 viable human relationships. http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2010/03/02/dunbar-interview/

sublimeoctober on March 12th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

carriejill on March 12th, 2010 at 2:46 pm

Monogamy is taxing on our brain: pair-bonded species have unusually big brains to do all the work http://bit.ly/aJ0874 tip @brainpicker

lyndons on March 12th, 2010 at 3:55 pm

Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? Dunbar’s limit of 150 relationships: http://is.gd/aopvy RT @brainpicker

hemantmmehta on March 12th, 2010 at 10:55 pm

RT @brainpicker: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? ~Dunbar’s Limit~ of 150 relationships: http://is.gd/aopvy

tatorandtots on March 13th, 2010 at 6:58 am

Kinship vs. friendship, the cognitive demands of monogamy, or why 400 Facebook friends may be a health hazard http://tr.im/RK8A (via @TBWA)

choconista on March 13th, 2010 at 10:53 am

[...] Beyond the Dunbar Number: Picking Dunbar’s Brain | Brain Pickings [...]

Research digest (weekly) « Sho Tyz Inc. on March 13th, 2010 at 5:17 pm

#SXSW Panel: Is technology weakening interpersonal relationships? Dunbar’s limit of 150 relationships: http://is.gd/aopvy (via @brainpicker)

_VNL on March 16th, 2010 at 6:24 pm

[...] the quality of our social interactions? Are we spreading ourselves too thin? (See Dunbar’s take here.) Or does the new media allow us to transcend, or tinker with, previously immutable biological [...]

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