Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Our study explores aspects of human conversation within the framework of evolutionary psychology, focusing on the proportion of 'social' to 'non-social' content in casual conversation. Building upon the seminal study by Dunbar et al. (1997, Human Nature, 8, 231-246), which posited that two-thirds of conversation gravitates around social matters, our findings indicate an even larger portion, approximately 85% being of a social nature. Additionally, we provide a nuanced categorisation of 'social' rooted in the principles of evolutionary psychology. Similarly to Dunbar et al.'s findings, our results support theories of human evolution that highlight the importance of social interactions and information exchange and the importance of the exchange of social information in human interactions across various contexts.

Original publication

DOI

10.1017/langcog.2024.54

Type

Journal article

Journal

Language and Cognition

Publication Date

09/01/2025

Volume

17