Neuroscientists find a teamwork paradox: highly synchronized brains perform worse at complex tasks

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journal NeuroImage suggests that when people collaborate on a video game, their brain activity aligns, but this synchronization does not necessarily result in better performance. The findings indicate that the way human brains link up during teamwork is highly complex. This provides evidence that shared brain patterns might not directly cause successful collaboration. When people interact, their brain waves often start to match up in real time. This phenomenon is known as inter-brain synchrony. To study this, scientists use a technique called hyperscanning, which allows them to record the brain activity of multiple people at the exact same time. Previous research provides evidence that this mental alignment happens during cooperative tasks, like playing games or solving puzzles. Two specific areas of the brain are highly active during social interactions. The prefrontal cortex...