• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Social News Daily

  • Social Media
  • Social Celebs
  • Social Video
  • Hoaxed
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • More!
    • Social Humor
    • Social Business
    • Social Music
    • Social Sports
    • Social Photos
    • Social Gaming
    • Social Law
    • Mobile
    • Meet Our Team
Social Media

[Social Studies] Researchers Use Twitter to Test 150 Friends Theory

Published on Jun 1, 2011 by Kim LaCapria

Share This Article

In the 90’s, British anthropologist Robin Dunbar discovered that our ability to connect in groups tops out at about 150 people. Sounds like a lot, but these innate limits have been seriously put to the test by the inception of online social networks.

In the past, people came and went from the landscapes of our lives- those of us who remember the pre-internet days know that there were just people you once knew that you’d wonder, “what happened to that guy? I hope he’s not dead,” and kind of move on. But services like Facebook uniquely make it so anyone you’ve ever known is more likely than not to be one poke away.

Dunbar’s number bears out yet again with new testing of the theory done using Twitter. (Social network Path actually limits your circle to 50 followers.) i09 breaks down the science of the meaningful connections we make via social media, and the natural numerical limits inherent therein:

[Indiana University’s Bruno Goncalves] and his research team studied the social networks built by three million Twitter users over the last four years, which meant looking at a whopping 380 million tweets. Most Twitter users fall into a familiar pattern – they start using the service, then they build up a huge number of friends, and then they get overwhelmed. Once the saturation point is reached, Goncalves found people start to pull back on the amount of people with whom they remain in regular contact.

And just what was this Twitter saturation point? Why, somewhere between 100 and 200 people, of course. Even with all the tools of the digital age, people couldn’t get past the Dunbar number.

Do a quick scan of your Facebook friends or Twitter replies- how many people are you really interacting with versus the ones to whom you are connected?

About Kim LaCapria

Kim LaCapria is a social media enthusiast, long-time Inquisitr.com writer and beauty and lifestyle industry expert. She covers a wide range of social media topics, with a particular interest in style-related apps and services.

When not working, Kim can be found on Facebook and Pinterest, skating, and sneaking off to Spa Castle.

Primary Sidebar

Will

Will Smith Is ‘Considering’ Running For President of the United States

Will Smith disclosed in a podcast interview recently that he would “consider” running for president “at some point.” In an interview released Monday, the 52-year-old rapper told Crooked Media’s “Pod Save America”: “I think for now I’ll let that office get cleaned up a little bit. And then I’ll consider that at some point down…Continue Reading ›

Countries That Vaccinated for COVID-19 and How It’s Going

Vaccination programs are currently on roll-out and countries that vaccinated for COVID-19 are talking. Questions are everywhere, and it is building up people’s anxieties about vaccination. How has the vaccine affected their population? Are the vaccines any good? Should we research more on newer vaccines? Can the vaccines kill the mutated virus? The answers change…Continue Reading ›

How the Internet is Cancelling on Ted Cruz After Fleeing a State Emergency

Texas Senator, Ted Cruz, received heavy criticism after taking a vacation to Cancun with his family in the middle of a crisis. The latest power crisis in Texas left hundreds of homes without electricity and water for more than 48 hours in negative degree weather. This has left the lives of many Texas residents in…Continue Reading ›

Footer

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Social News Daily

  • Write For Us
  • Meet Our Team
  • SND Services
  • Social News
  • Copyright Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us