Prove Your Memory Is Better Than a Chimp: The Science of Brain Plasticity and the Chimp Test

Introduction: Can You Memorize 9 Numbers in 0.2 Seconds?

If a chimpanzee and a human went head-to-head in a memory contest, who would win? Instinct says humans — by a landslide. But in one specific domain, instant visual memory (working memory), chimpanzees overwhelmingly outperform us.

A chimpanzee named Ayumu at Kyoto University’s Primate Research Institute memorized the positions of the numbers 1 through 9, displayed randomly on screen and then hidden, in less than 0.2 seconds. Researchers believe this happens because the human brain prioritizes processing and interpreting information, while a chimpanzee’s brain is optimized to store visual data like a photograph — instantaneously and as-is.

Today, through an interactive chimp test inspired by that remarkable experiment, we will put your brain to the test and explore strategies for improving cognitive performance.

1. Measuring Your Cognitive Ability: The Chimp Test (Game)

Take the test below to assess your working memory capacity. The number of digits increases with each level.

Chimp Memory Test

Level: 1Best Level: 0

🧠

Memorize the numbers in order, then click them after they disappear.

2. Why Do Chimpanzees Outperform Humans? (The Trade-Off Theory)

Evolutionary anthropologists explain this phenomenon with the Trade-Off Hypothesis. As humans developed language and higher-order thinking, they sacrificed part of the brain’s capacity devoted to spatial perception and instant memory.

The human brain: Optimized for finding patterns, assigning meaning, and planning for the future.
The chimpanzee brain: Maximized for instantly processing visual information — to avoid predators and locate food quickly in the wild.

But there is no reason to be discouraged. The human brain has plasticity — with consistent stimulation and training, cognitive function can be maintained and improved.

3. Three Habits to Strengthen Working Memory

Modern brains are showing increasing weaknesses in short-term memory, partly due to constant smartphone use. Upgrade your brain’s performance with these strategies.

① Chunking

Even a string of random numbers becomes far easier to remember when grouped into “meaningful chunks.” It is the difference between memorizing 4155550100 and 415-555-0100. This dramatically reduces the brain’s processing load.

② Visual Mnemonics

Convert abstract numbers or information into images. Techniques like the Method of Loci — mapping information to familiar locations — allow the brain to grip information far more powerfully.

③ Aerobic Exercise and Adequate Sleep

The most scientifically proven ways to improve memory both involve the body. Aerobic exercise raises levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), enhancing hippocampal performance. Sleep, meanwhile, consolidates the day’s short-term memories into long-term storage.

Conclusion: The Brain Gets Younger the More You Use It

Do not be discouraged by a low score on the chimp test. What deserves your attention is not the absolute number — it is how your brain responds to a new challenge.

Simply encountering a new language every day, taking an unfamiliar route on your walk, and enjoying brain games like this one is enough to make your mind more flexible and powerful. Why not start a small training session for your brain today?

Further reading:

OIYO Editorial