Population 150

Creating meaningful relationships.

Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor Of Evolutionary Psychology — Oxford University.

Imagine a town where everyone feels like a close friend. Anthropologist Robin Dunbar suggests our brains can comfortably handle deep connections with around 150 people — your inner circle, the confidantes and story-swappers.

There’s more to the story than just 150, though. Dunbar proposed a range of 100–200 for truly meaningful relationships. Beyond this core group lies a network with looser ties, requiring less frequent interaction. Here’s a glimpse into these layers:

• The Inner Circle (5 people): Your closest confidantes, seen at least weekly.
• The Best Friend Zone (15 people): Your go-to friends, with monthly catch-ups.
• Your Social Circle (50 people): The folks you share life’s ups and downs with.
• The 150 Club (150 people): Acquaintances, friendly faces in your community.

Instead of a rigid rule, consider Dunbar’s number a tool for navigating your social world. To combat isolation within large groups, focus on building strong bonds with smaller circles within them. If you’re creating communities, consider implementing subgroups to encourage closer relationships. Prioritize connections that uplift and inspire you, and embrace the richness that comes from people from various backgrounds. By understanding our social limits, we can cultivate a network that truly fuels our sense of belonging.

References

Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist, proposed the theory of Dunbar’s number. You can find more information about his research in the academic paper: Dunbar, R. I. M. (1992). Neocortex size as a constraint on group size in primates. Journal of Human Evolution, 20(6), 687–700.