title: Size and structure of freely forming conversational groups.
abstract: Data from various settings suggest that there is an upper limit of about four on the number of individuals who can interact in spontaneous conversation. This limit appears to be a consequence of the mechanisms of speech production and detection. There appear to be no differences between men and women in this respect, other than those introduced by women's lighter voices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, L69 3BX, Liverpool, England.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nettle