Final answer:
The subject of social relationships, friendship circles, and the influence of digital communication on teen social media habits falls under the study of Social Studies at a college level. Robin Dunbar's theory is connected to the way these social structures can be quantified, and surveys, such as the one using the plus-four method, help understand the prevalence of large online friend networks among teens. Proximity plays a traditionally important role in forming relationships, yet digital communication allows for broader social connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of social relationships and friendship circles relates to the study of Social Studies, and it may be particularly focused within the domain of sociology. According to British anthropologist Robin Dunbar, individuals typically have layers of friendships, often quantified as 5 close friends, 15 good friends, 50 friends, 150 meaningful contacts, 500 acquaintances, and 1500 people they can recognize. This concept ties into the observation of teens' social media behavior.
In understanding teen social interactions, the results of surveys and scientific research can offer insight into their social media habits. Data indicating that 17.8 percent to 37.8 percent of teens report having more than 500 friends on social media sites could reflect changes in social dynamics due to technological influence.
Studies like the one involving 588 teens, where 159 teens reported having more than 500 online friends, and the usage of the plus-four method, demonstrate the integration of statistical methods to understand social behavior. The plus-four method suggests adding two successes and two failures to the sample data to calculate a confidence interval, which gives a better estimate of the true proportion when the sample size is small. This type of analysis is significant for comprehending how many teenagers might have expansive online friend networks.
Theory and research show that proximity is a significant factor in relationship formation. However, with the advent of digital communication, the traditional constraints of physical proximity are less relevant, allowing for larger and more dispersed social networks.