According to sociologists Freeman and Thompson, published by L. C. Freeman, C. R. Thompson. Estimating Acquaintanceship Volume / M. Kochen, ed. The Small World in 1989, the number of social contacts of a person on average ranges from 250 to 5,500 contacts. The researchers also studied friendships. They took for the equivalent of proximity the number of New Year's cards that an average person sends. As a result, the average number of friends was R. A. Hill, R. I. M. Dunbar. Social network size in humans / Human Nature 121.
But no matter how extensive your connections are, there are usually quite a few close people. According to T. A. DiPrete, A. Gelman, et al. Segregation in social networks based on acquaintanceship and trust / American Journal of Sociology research, the average American trusts only 10-20 people. And this number is gradually decreasing. For example, during the period from 1985 to 2004, the respondents' average decreased M. McPherson, M. E. Brashears, L. Smith-Lovin. Social isolation in America: Changes in core discussion networks over two decades / American Sociological Review the number of intimate friends. Instead of three, there are only two left.
And this is not just a sad fact. Increasing isolation leads to serious consequences. Proven J. Holt-Lunstad, T. B. Smith, J. B. Layton. Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review / PLoS Medicine that people with stronger social ties live longer. But don't despair if you don't have enough communication in your life right now. Researchers have something to advise.
Even communication with people with whom you do not have strong social ties significantly affects G. M. Sandstrom, E. W. Dunn. Social interactions and well-being: The surprising power of weak ties / Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin on emotional well-being. Perhaps to build a strong friendship with them, you just need time.
According to one small study J. A. Hall. How many hours does it take to make a friend? / Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , it takes 50 hours of communication to move from a simple acquaintance to a friendship. And another 40 hours to become real friends. In general, it takes 200 hours to get close.
Remember the people with whom you used to have a trusting relationship. It will be easier to establish communication with them. And the fact that you haven't seen each other for a while will give D. Z. Levin, J. Walter, J. K. Murnighan. Dormant ties: The value of reconnecting / Organization Science new food for conversation.
Try to open up to unfamiliar people. Telling something personal, we have N. L. Collins, L. C. Miller. Self-disclosure and liking: A meta-analytic review / Psychological Bulletin to yourself others. In addition, we tend to have more sympathy for those who have already been let into the soul.
Everyone needs communication and intimacy. It is quite possible that friends will be happy to meet you halfway. So close this article and try to make friends with someone from your environment.
