Get Together, Remember More! Teamwork makes brains work better, says our memory expert, Jonathan Hancock

New research shows that being part of a team has remarkable benefits for recall. But you’ll know that already if you’ve ever watched University Challenge. Every week the contestants perform amazing feats of memory. First, they work independently, racing to buzz in and solve the “starter for 10.” As we all have to do several times every day, they search their memory banks in solitary silence. But then one team gets to work together. They can confer before answering. And that’s when we see how much it helps to flex our memory muscles with others.

It’s partly common sense. In the team round, there’s less individual pressure, more time to chew over each question, and the players can consider several possibilities before giving their final, group response.

But there’s even more going on according to Canadian researchers, who’ve shown that our brains get a natural boost when they’ve got company. The study suggests two reasons why. First, when we’re with people who are trying to remember something, we can easily “catch” that

52 tip-of-the-tongue feeling—and so we eagerly join in with the challenge at hand ourselves.

Second, believing that others are close to remembering something boosts our confidence that we can get there too.

And you don’t have to go on University Challenge to experience these effects. Here are three ways that we can all tap into the power of team learning.

• Share the memory load.

Many couples and families do this naturally. Your partner may remember birthdays, for example, while you’re in charge of remembering bin day. Having a “recall responsibility” can be motivating, and give you the confidence you need to succeed.

• Reminisce in a group. Use the “contagion” effect in teams to awaken your own memories. But also work together to trigger each other’s recall. You’ll all enjoy much richer and more multi-layered remembering as a result.

• Make memory a team game. Tackle newspaper quizzes and gameshows in a group. Confer to come up with your best joint answers. But be personally competitive, too, and trust the science. Your teammates’ mental energy should motivate and empower you to beat your personal best, and help to keep all your thinking skills sharp.