Why is yawning contagious?

Answer 1

I'm not sure, but just reading the word yawning made me yawn...

Answer 2

This question has taken me a super long time to answer -- I've spent much of the time yawning every time I try to research! It's true! Are you yawning yet? Humans yawn when they see someone else yawn, read about yawning, think about yawning, or even just hear yawning. I can barely keep my hands on the keyboard because once I yawn, I tend to stretch and then rub my face.

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.

Now scientists are wondering if yawning is from our deep past -- part of our evolutionary history. Did a yawn signal to the group that it was time for everyone to retire to the trees and snooze? Did a yawn signal that we were all feeling cozy and warm about each other? Did a yawn signal something more like, "Gee, I know how you're feeling, I feel that way too."

Between 40 and 60 percent of the population seems to find yawning contagious. Researchers at the State University of New York conducted a series of yawning experiments. They determined that being self-aware (the ability to recognize oneself) and having the ability to see things from someone else's viewpoint means a person is more likely to find yawning contagious.

Now you're thinking, what humans are not self-aware? Schizophrenics sometimes have trouble with self-recognition so they will not find yawning contagious. Babies won't yawn contagiously until they're more than a year old.

Some birds and reptiles yawn. My conure yawns, as well, but that doesn't make me yawn.
Chimpanzees yawn too, and in fact, if they watch other chimps yawn, they're more likely to yawn too.

So, I guess the real answer is: who knows?

Answer 3

yawning means there is a lack of oygen in the air so if you yawn you pull a lot of it out of the air.. there for causeing the already laking oxygen air from another person and the cycle continues untill well you know..
some yawns are differnt as well some yawns are from your own bodie need more oxygen mostly when your tired and your body is having adifficut time accepting it...
that's lamens turms hope it helps

Answer 4

There is a theory that claims yawning is an INDIRECT result of being tired, not a DIRECT one.

The theory claims that our ancestors yawned when they were tired as a DEFENSE MECHANISM. The creators of the theory claim that when we feel tired we feel threatened, and as a result of feeling threatened we yawn. Our ancestors, according to the theory yawned to show their teeth to others, trying to scare any possible predators off.

When others noticed this person yawning and showing their teeth, they would feel threatened (even if the yawn wasn't even aimed at them) and yawn back to show their teeth.

Answer 5

I ask myself the same question all the time, I sometimes pretend to yawn just to make others do so too, lol

Answer 6

It triggers what is called a fixed action pattern. A fixed action pattern is a behaviour (yawning) that is encoded in a neural sequence. Once triggered it cannot be stopped. Other people yawning can trigger it.

Answer 7

Just reading your question has me yawning! Something about yawning...

Answer 8

Nice question, I even tried to get a grant to study that question ( they wouldn't give it to me DOH!!) but It's on a subconscious level when you see it your brain wants some of that sweet sweet relief so without you realizing it BOOM you get some oxygen to your muscles and feel good so yawn away YAWN!!!.

Answer 9

YES!!!! got to the other room and just act like your yawning and see how many people start!!!!

Answer 10

urg jsut by saying that u got my to yawn lol