Our Brains Evolved to Socialize—but Max Out at About 150 Friends

The size of our social networks is limited even in the age of social media

Quick Summary

• A major portion of the outsize human brain is the neocortex, which enables advanced cognitive function.

• British psychologist Robin Dunbar found a relationship between primates’ neocortex size and their social-group size. Humans, he said, can only handle 150 relationships.

• This 150-person social group is divided into layers.