Robin Dunbar, an Oxford University anthropologist, explains that the size of primate neocortex correlates directly with group size, leading to what is known as "Dunbar's Number." This number signifies the maximum number of individuals that can be comfortably managed within a social group, which for Homo sapiens is calculated as 150. This essential threshold arises from the computational demands of maintaining social relationships within larger and more complex groups.
The social brain hypothesis posits that the evolution of primates and their large brains is fundamentally linked to their ability to live in socially bonded groups. These groups facilitate intricate social grooming and protection dynamics among members. The growing computational burden associated with managing relationships increases exponentially as group size expands. For example, while a group of 10 has merely 45 dyadic connections, a group of 100 has 4950, illustrating the staggering complexity.
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