In his analysis, Dunbar highlights a significant relationship between brain size and social structures in primates. He notes that as the neocortex of a species increases in size, so too does the average size of the social groups they inhabit. This pattern underscores the evolutionary link between cognitive capacity and social dynamics in primates.

This insight offers a lens through which to understand social behavior, suggesting that larger groups may require more complex social skills and brain processing power. According to Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," this principle helps elucidate broader social phenomena, illustrating how small factors can lead to substantial changes in social dynamics.