Presentation to BayChi on July 11th 2006.
We are relying increasingly on internet-mediated social software tools for our day-to-day interaction with other people. To design this type of software, we must better understand the psychology and social dynamics of individuals in groups. Awareness of what makes us human is now often as important to the success of the software as is understanding software architecture and code. One particular sociological factor, the Dunbar Number, is useful in understanding why groups don't scale at different group sizes. A deeper awareness of why groups have different behaviors, the nature of unstructured trust, and which current tools appear to work best at different scales, can give guidance to both the online facilitator and the social software designer.
18. The Dunbar Number, Unstructured Trust &
Why Groups Donât Scale
Dr. Robin Dunbar
Gladwell, Watts, Buchanan, et al.
Unstructured Trust
So what are the limits to group size?
25. The Dunbar Number, Unstructured Trust &
Why Groups Donât Scale
Dr. Robin Dunbar
Gladwell, Watts, Buchanan, et al.
Unstructured Trust
So what are the limits to group size?
Group size problems
26. Concept: Group Size Problems
Too Few People
InsufïŹcient critical mass
Unable to sustain conversation
Feels like you are alone
Lack of commitment or leadership
Groupthink & Echo Chamber
27. Concept: Group Size Problems
Too Few People
InsufïŹcient critical mass
Unable to sustain conversation
Feels like you are alone
Lack of commitment or leadership
Groupthink & Echo Chamber
Too Many People
Too noisy, not enough signal
Lack of trust, unequal trust
Cliques & bad gossip
Inappropriate politics
Other social contract failures
Flames
Trolls
Tragedy of the commons
28. The Dunbar Number, Unstructured Trust &
Why Groups Donât Scale
Dr. Robin Dunbar
Gladwell, Watts, Buchanan, et al.
So what are the limits to group size?
Unstructured Trust
Group size problems
Appropriate social software for
different group sizes
Cycle of Flames
29. Concepts: Cycle of Flames
Cycle of Flames
Text is missing emotional cues
We over-interpret emotions
We reply at similar intensity
(Emotional Contagion)
We empathize less when emotions
are intense
Thus âCycle of Flamesâ
Irony â« Sarcasm â« Insult â« Flame!
30. Concepts: Cycle of Flames
Cooling Flames
Avoid emotional words
should, didnât, forgot
Avoid irony and sarcasm
When necessary, use smilies to
avoid confusion ;-)
Donât escalate
Educate
31. The Dunbar Number, Unstructured Trust &
Why Groups Donât Scale
Dr. Robin Dunbar
Gladwell, Watts, Buchanan, et al.
So what are the limits to group size?
Unstructured Trust
Group size problems
Appropriate social software for
different group sizes
32. Concept: Appropriate Size
Small Groups (2-12 active, best for 4-9 active)
Chat Room
Teleconference w/Backchannel
Cooperative Editor
Discussion List - Flat
Blogs - Shared only to Private
Blogs - Group Authored
33. Concept: Appropriate Size
Small Groups (2-12 active, best for 4-9 active)
Chat Room
Teleconference w/Backchannel
Cooperative Editor
Discussion List - Flat
Blogs - Shared only to Private
Blogs - Group Authored
Medium Groups (13-150 active, best for 25-80 active)
Instant Message
Avatar Chat
Discussion List - Threaded
Wiki - Single Workspace
34. Concept: Appropriate Size
Small Groups (2-12 active, best for 4-9 active)
Chat Room
Teleconference w/Backchannel
Cooperative Editor
Discussion List - Flat
Blogs - Shared only to Private
Blogs - Group Authored
Medium Groups (13-150 active, best for 25-80 active)
Instant Message
Avatar Chat
Discussion List - Threaded
Wiki - Single Workspace
Large Groups (150+ active)
Discussion List - Reputation Filterered (i.e. SlashDot)
Wiki - Multiple Workspaces
Blog - Public
Social Network
35. Blog at
http://www.LifeWithAlacrity.com
ChristopherA@LifeWithAlacrity.com