Why do you yawn when you see other people yawning?

Answer 1

Cause it is contagious!

Answer 2

This one has been one of my favourite questions as well and before I found a convincing answer from teacher or books, I figured it out myself. This is what I think.

When yawning is done, a lot of oxygen is taken in by our body. This means there is temporarily a shortage of enough fresh oxygen around the location we are sitting; and due to this shortage, we yawn periodically to maintain the oxygen level for our body.

Unlike you said, it is not by seeing other people that you feel like yawning, because if it were caused to you just by seeing, then you would also probably yawn yourself when you see somebody yawning on the other side of the road. I've tried noticing this a number of times and the result has proved positive. So next time you see a person yawning on the other side of the road (or some equal distance), try yawning yourself - probably you will not yawn from this far.

Answer 3

no one knows for sure
Causes of yawning
An indication of tiredness, stress, over-work, or boredom.
An action indicating psychological decompression after a state of high alert.
A means of expressing powerful emotions like anger, rejection, apathy, or tedium.
A yawn can express strong anti-social messages, and so in some cultures people try to mute or mask them by placing a concealing hand over the yawning mouth.


A long-standing hypothesis is that yawning is caused by an excess of carbon dioxide and lack of oxygen in the blood. The brain stem detects this and triggers the yawn reflex. The mouth stretches wide and the lungs inhale deeply, bringing oxygen into the lungs and hence to the bloodstream. It is almost certain however, that this hypothesis is not correct. One study documented that this effect does not exist.[1] A more recent hypothesis is that yawning is used for regulation of body temperature. Another hypothesis is that yawns are caused by the same chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that affect emotions, mood, appetite and other phenomena. These chemicals include serotonin, dopamine, glutamic acid and nitric oxide. As more of these compounds are activated in the brain, the frequency of yawning increases. Conversely, a greater presence in the brain of opiate neurotransmitters such as endorphins, reduces the frequency of yawning. Patients taking the serotonin reuptake inhibitor Paxil (Paroxetine HCl) have been observed yawning abnormally often. Another theory is that yawning is similar to stretching. Yawning, like stretching, increases blood pressure and heart rate while also flexing many muscles and joints. It is also theorized that yawning helps redistribute an oil-like substance which coats the lungs and aids breathing. Some have observed that if you try to stifle or prevent a yawn by clenching your jaws shut, the yawn is unsatisfying. As such, the stretching of jaw and face muscles seems to be necessary for a good yawn.

Answer 4

When did the excessive yawning begin?
How many yawns per hour or day?
Is the yawning consistent throughout the day?
Is it worse in the morning, after lunch, or during exercise?
Is it worse in certain areas or certain rooms?

Answer 5

Mysteriousree...UB STOOPID! Yawning is an intellective response to boring stimuli, simulated by ionic trepidations of plastiscene recesses of the bi-polar hemispheres in the dark grey matter of the brain.

Answer 6

Sympathy

Answer 7

dat da realest question i every heard its lik when youre chillin u b so laid back like u just go wit da flow like wateva but when im on my p"s n q"s im a leader not a follower

Answer 8

i dont know * yawn*

Answer 9

Its a weird social thing which isn't understood. Chimpanzees do it also

Answer 10

you?? why do you yawn?