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Removing the glass ceilings: diverse mechanisms for social cohesion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2025

Dennis Papadopoulos Open the ORCID record for Dennis Papadopoulos [Opens in a new window] ,
Kristin Andrews Open the ORCID record for Kristin Andrews [Opens in a new window]  and
Jenny Michlich Open the ORCID record for Jenny Michlich [Opens in a new window]
Dennis Papadopoulos*
Affiliation:
Seneca Polytechnic, Toronto, ON, Canada d.v.papadopoulos@gmail.com Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
Kristin Andrews
Affiliation:
York Research Chair in Animal Minds, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada andrewsk@yorku.ca
Jenny Michlich
Affiliation:
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA jennymichlich@g.harvard.edu
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Dunbar suggests that social stressors set “glass ceilings” on the evolution of mammalian group size and cohesion. We argue that this glass ceiling narrative conceals three contentious anthropocentric assumptions. First, large stable groups would always be beneficial. Second, grooming is an indicator for maintaining group cohesion. Third, group size is primarily limited by cognitive or behavioral incapacity. We challenge all three assumptions.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e179
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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