Comparing cooperative geometric puzzle solving in ants versus humans

Collective cognition is often mentioned as one of the advantages of group living. But which factors actually facilitate group smarts? To answer this, we compared how individuals and groups of either ants or people tackle an identical geometrical puzzle.

We find that when ants work in groups, their performances rise significantly. Groups of people do not show such improvement and, when their communication is restricted, even display deteriorated performances.

What is the source of such differences?

An ant’s simplicity prevents her from solving the puzzle on her own but facilitates effective cooperation with nest-mates.

A single person is cognitively sophisticated and solves the problem efficiently but this leads to interpersonal variation that stands in the way of efficient group performance.