How many people do individuals typically have in their sphere of influence?

The concept of a sphere of influence refers to the network of people with whom an individual has a personal relationship. Research, including studies conducted by social scientists like Robin Dunbar, suggests that the average person can maintain meaningful relationships with around 150 people. This number is often referred to as "Dunbar's number," which implies that while individuals can have varying degrees of connectivity, the typical limit of close contacts tends to hover around this figure.

In practical terms, this means that within this sphere, individuals can expect to have direct influence or meaningful interaction with about 150 people. This can include family, friends, acquaintances, and professional contacts who play a significant role in one’s life. This specific number aligns well with the understanding of manageable social relationships—beyond this point, maintaining close relationships becomes increasingly difficult, leading to diminished depth in connections.

While other options present higher figures, they are less aligned with the established findings in social science regarding the optimal number of people one can maintain substantive relationships with, thus reinforcing the reasoning behind the selection of 150 as the most representative figure.