Human Social Networks Are Capped at 150 People

Research shows that we can meaningfully attend to a limited number of people during any one time in our life. Our social networks have limits. Make the most of it.

Robin Dunbar famously researched the anatomy of human relationships. His most well-known finding: our social networks contain a maximum of 150 people. That doesn’t mean we can’t be familiar with others. But relationship-building with mentors, co-workers, friends, family and partners takes a great deal of our energy and time. Research suggests this is the number that we can meaningfully attend to at any one time in our lives.

And just who builds up these 150 people? You get to decide. And it’s not a once in a life-time decision. Relationships and friendships are fluid. Your close friend might become distant for a few years. This leaves you with the mental capacity to deepen an existing relationship or build a new one. Years later, if you both reconnect deeply, your inner-most social circle will continue to adjust.

Relationships and friendships are fluid. Distance and closeness with others fluctuates as we grow…

The people closest to you take up a majority of your time. They influence your outlook on the world. For example, if your close friend smokes, you are 61% more likely to be a smoker yourself. If a friend of your friend smokes, you’re still at a 29% greater likelihood to smoke. Even if you don’t know that friend! The same seems to be true of happiness. If a friend that lives within a mile away from you becomes happy, you’re 25% more likely to be positive during that time as well. Isn’t that mind-blowing?

If you don’t feel connected or satisfied with your social networks, you’re not alone. Research shows us that we tend to engage in similar activities with the people that we know. Remember that change brings about new results. Change your routine, strike up a conversation with someone new or try out a new social activity to expose yourself to a new network!