03/17/2026
Psychological research suggests that emotional intelligence is closely related to the quality of a person’s relationships rather than the number of people in their social circle. Studies on emotional intelligence show that individuals who are better at understanding and regulating emotions tend to build deeper, more meaningful connections. Instead of spreading their time and emotional energy across many casual relationships, they often invest more in a few trusted friendships where communication, empathy, and mutual support are stronger.
Research on social networks also supports the idea that humans naturally maintain small circles of close relationships. Psychologist Robin Dunbar’s work on social bonding indicates that while people may know many individuals, their closest emotional circle usually includes only about three to five strong relationships. These deeper connections are associated with greater emotional support, trust, and well-being, suggesting that meaningful friendships often matter more for psychological health than having a large number of acquaintances.
