Humans’ brains are capable of managing a maximum of only 150 friendships

[MikeLigalig.com]

By Chris Gourlay
Sunday Times

We may be able to amass 5,000 friends on Facebook but humans’ brains are capable of managing a maximum of only 150 friendships, a study has found.

Robin Dunbar, professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford University, has conducted research revealing that while social networking sites allow us to maintain more relationships, the number of meaningful friendships is the same as it has been throughout history.

Dunbar developed a theory known as “Dunbar’s number” in the 1990s which claimed that the size of our neocortex â€" the part of the brain used for conscious thought and language â€" limits us to managing social circles of around 150 friends, no matter how sociable we are.

These are relationships in which a person knows how each friend relates to every other friend. They are people you care about and contact at least once a year.

[ms da binsi]

ako brain abno kay gamay ray kaya...

[hubag bohol]

Hmm. It appears that "managing" is the operative word here.

[hubag bohol]

ako brain abno kay gamay ray kaya...

He he, OK ra ta, Ms. MDB. Ang abno tingali kadtong maka-manage og more than 150 or less than 1.

[ms da binsi]

He he, OK ra ta, Ms. MDB. Ang abno tingali kadtong maka-manage og more than 150 or less than 1.

bwahahhaha! hala bitaw noh? hahahhaha!

[hofelina]

it´s high time to choose friends who are positive, supporting and light to handle. Most of my very good friends are Bol-anon.

[ms da binsi]

bitaw ako bitaw Manay gamay raman, kapoy daghan friends kay maka stress! hahahhaa! (honest)