Theories of social group size

Theories of social group size explore why groups tend to stay within certain sizes. One key idea is Dunbar's Number, suggesting humans can comfortably maintain about 150 stable relationships because our brains have a limit on social connection capacity. Other theories propose that group size balances the benefits of cooperation with the costs of managing relationships, like time and effort. As groups grow larger, maintaining strong ties becomes harder, leading to natural limits. These theories help explain the sizes of communities, workplaces, and online networks, highlighting how cognitive and social factors shape our social structures.