April 7, 2009
Dr. Eric: Will Lifecasting Change the Dunbar Number?
Are online social networks the same as offline social networks? Do adults use them differently than youth?
According to researchers cited The Economist: “Primates on Facebook,” offline social networks generally consist of about 150 individuals with only a core handful as close confidants. This total number reflects what is known as the “Dunbar Number,” and it is reflects the social network capacity of the human brain. Communicating with a core handful was the brainchild of Peter Marsden of Harvard. When asked about Facebook subscribers relative to these figures Dr. Cameron Marlow, a researcher at Facebook, found that these numbers generally held true . A typical man had 120 friends on Facebook but interacted most often with his core group. Similar results were found for women.
The size of one's online social network, however, seems differ between youth and adults. In a survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (December 2008), adults were found to restrict public access to their profile content. In contrast, youth “are broadcasting their lives to an outer tier of acquaintances who aren’t necessarily inside the Dunbar circle” said Lee Rainee, director of the Pew Project.
Adults are aware of the potential dangers of open access to their information, are concerned about them and often take steps to craft and limit the amount and kind of information available. Youth generally do not. In fact, consistent with the heightened egocentrism that exists in adolescence, social networks provide the forum for young people to broadcast their lives to people and show their individualism in a world with little perceived danger.
This is the great appeal for lifecasting. In fact, lifecasting is the perfect medium for youth expression because it effectively matches technology with developmental needs. While imposed parameters should exist to limit potential harm, it may just emerge as the future of social networking.
As kids grow up, they will most likely reduce what they post and the extent and content of their broadcasts. But lifecasting will almost certainly weave its way into the fabric of their lives, assimilate quickly, just as media and mobile have done. As this occurs what will happen to the “Dunbar Number” and the size of Marden’s core group? And will it foster significant change in the concepts of “friend” and “intimacy?” I think we’re already seeing some of that now.
- Dr. Eric Weinstein is a Practicing Clinical Psychologist specializing in youth and a consultant with MobileBehavior
