2006-06-14 13:45:26 · 13 answers · asked by thirstymm 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
The yawn reflex is often described as contagious: if one person yawns, this will cause another person to "sympathetically" yawn. The reasons for this are unclear; however, recent research suggests that yawning might be a herd instinct.Other theories suggest that the yawn serves to synchronize mood behavior among gregarious animals, similar to the howling of the wolf pack during a full moon. It signals tiredness to other members of the group in order to synchronize sleeping patterns and periods of activity. It can serve as a warning in displaying large, canine teeth. This phenomenon has been observed among various primates. The threat gesture is a way of maintaining order in the primates' social structure. The contagion of yawning is interspecific (i.e., try yawning in front of your dog). Yawning in public is generally regarded as impolite in the West, but came into fashion in polite French society for a brief period in the late 18th century. Oddly, sometimes sympathetic yawning may be caused by simply looking at a picture of a person or animal yawning, or even seeing the word "yawn".
2006-06-14 13:50:35 · answer #1 · answered by FishRN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a fantastic question. Even over the phone, when someone yawns I yawn. Just typing the word yawn caused me to yawn just now. What the heck?!
2006-06-14 20:48:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is, no one really knows why yawning is "contagious". Or why we yawn at all. One popular explanation is that yawning allows you to get rid of too much carbon dioxide in your system and increase your oxygen supply. This was disproved by Dr. Robert Provine and his research team in 1987.
2006-06-14 20:50:18 · answer #3 · answered by Jazzy Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an empathy thing but I don't know the mechanics of it.
A bit of trivia for you though. A psychopath doesn't yawn when someone else does because they have no empathy.
2006-06-16 07:13:48 · answer #4 · answered by sticky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had read once that we yawn when another does because our airflow has been disrupted. Who knows, it does make sense. I found a few sources for you:
2006-06-14 20:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by tuls1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, as silly as this may sound, yawning is contagious. anyone within a certain close distance can pick up your yawning even if they dont see you do it. weird huh?
2006-06-14 20:50:12 · answer #6 · answered by used and abused 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is like if someone talks about lemons your mouth starts watering or at least mine does. I think it is the power of suggestion that stimulates your brain and causes a reaction. Well this is my opinion...
2006-06-14 20:55:21 · answer #7 · answered by mysticmoonprincess01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a physiological reaction related to the "power of suggestion". You may have the same reaction to seeing someone stretch.
2006-06-14 20:59:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is like a chemical reaction in the brain. When we see someone yarn, our brains, for some reason, signals us to react the same way, as to tell us that maybe we are tired, too.
2006-06-14 20:49:49 · answer #9 · answered by uchaboo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a method of communication that came about before we humans learned how to speak. It is essentially a message that says, "Time for bed everyone!"
2006-06-14 20:51:22 · answer #10 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋