The Latest Breaking News from Robin Dunbar

LET’S UNPACK THAT: Dunbar’s Number, the theory that we are only capable of having 150 friendships at any one time, remains surprisingly robust in the digital age. Helen Coffey investigates whether ignoring in-built limits means stretching ourselves too thin, and why social media shouldn’t make us feel guilty about losing…

Loneliness is increasing in the U.S., with more than 20 percent of adults reporting feeling lonely

A study suggests that the optimal number of friends a person can have is five; any fewer and we are prone to loneliness. But this discovery came late for Anya Meyerowitz, who spent decades collecting as many people for her tribe as possible

Staying close to friends isn’t always easy. From calling out flakiness to singing together in a choir, experts share their advice on how to keep the spark alive

Carols and choirs are enjoying a boom in popularity, and science is showing how they improve lives

Modern parents are told to TALK with an agitated kid to improve their mood. But in many cultures, mom and dad opt for a soothing caress to induce tranquility. Neurologists explain why it works.

Experiment with being who you are, not who you think you ought to be

A quarter of British men say they have no close mates. But even in middle age, where the ‘friendship recession’ hits hardest, it’s possible to buck the trend

Author Bruce Daisley celebrates the power of communities and learns lessons from a champion marathon runner in his exploration into human physical and mental resilience