Might be my limited experience, but shy of music and sport, professional programming is the most collaborative thing I've done. With research, it's trickier to get the team into the same mindset, but that's usually because the mind is not set. I mean each researcher is individually foggy on the details and their consequences. Of course, trying to explain yourself quickly reveals just how confused you are. So that's a bonus.

Re: Collaboration in music. I think Brent Knopf (of Menomena and Ramona Falls) gives a really good explanation of his creative process and how he works with other musicians.