Reflecting on Dunbar's numbers: Individual differences in energy allocation to personal relationships

Abstract

Past studies have investigated the variability in how people engage with their personal networks, yet less is known about how people perceive their energy allocation to different ties. Drawing on an online survey sample (N = 906), we tested whether subjective perceptions of energy allocation conform to so-called Dunbar's Number(s). In addition, we evaluated the predictive roles of Big Five personality traits and self-esteem while controlling for differences in network structure. Results revealed significant heterogeneity in perceived energy allocation to different layers of personal networks (i.e., inner 5 vs. middle 15 vs. outer 150 relationships). In contrast to expectations, extraversion was not associated with perceived energy allocation, whereas self-esteem was associated with greater energy allocation to the middle (vs. inner) network layer. Our findings add to our knowledge of how people perceive relationship maintenance across their personal networks, along with the links to key psychological traits. More broadly, the findings suggest that more attention should be paid to psychological implications of the middle layer of personal networks. To conclude, we discuss the importance of studying individual differences in how people prioritize - and reflect on - different relationships in their networks.

Fig 1. Visualizations of the three layers of Dunbar’s Number.

(a) Overview of the three layers (b) The inner layer support group highlighted in orange (c) The middle layer empathy group highlighted in orange (d) The outer layer supported highlighted in orange.

Fig 2. Visual scale [89] (a) and histogram for core network density (b).

Participants were given the following instructions: The images below represent the connections between your current relationships. Each person is represented by a blue circle. Once again you are not pictured in the images. The more lines there are between people (circles), the more interconnected your relationships would be. Which of the choices below best represents how connected your relationships are to one another?.

Fig 3. Visual scale [89] (a) and histogram for core network communities (b).

Participants were given the following instructions: Here, we once again want you to think about groups. Some of the relationships you entered may be part of the same groups—for example, you hang out together or are on the same trivia team. The images below represent the groups linked to your 8 relationships. Each group is represented by a set of connected circles. The more groups of people that are pictured (connected circles), the more distinct groups you belong to. Which of the choices below best represents the number of distinct groups that you belong to?.

Fig 4. Variability in energy allocation to each layer of Dunbar’s Number indicated by four random participants in four quartiles (a, b, c, d) of the standard deviations (SDs) of energy allocation.

Fig 5. Variability in energy allocation to each relationship in core networks indicated by four random participants in four quartiles (a, b, c, d) of the standard deviations (SDs) of energy allocation.