2006-08-23 05:59:40 · 17 answers · asked by pussygalore1968 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
A yawn (synonyms chasma, oscitation from the Latin verb oscitare, to open the mouth wide) is a reflex of deep inhalation and exhalation associated with being tired, with a need to sleep, or from lack of stimulation. Pandiculation is the term for the act of stretching and yawning. Yawning is a powerful non-verbal message with several possible meanings, depending on the circumstances. It is also claimed to help increase the state of alertness of a person. The exact causes of yawning are still unknown.
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). 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".
2006-08-23 06:10:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 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.
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. Most mammals yawn. My dog yawns, but that doesn't make me yawn -- I obviously cannot put myself in her paw prints. (But who can empathize with a creature that sleeps all day, then when she does bother to get up and join you on a walk, suddenly bolts after a squirrel and nearly tears your arm out of your socket? I have no idea what's going on in that dog's mind.)
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
2006-08-23 06:16:23 · answer #2 · answered by Donkey 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One theory is that seeing someone yawn activates the mirror-neuron system. We mimic behavior. This yawn response is also seen in chimpanzees. The other theory is that it involves the deactivation of a second brain area, the left periamygdalar region. The greater the deactivation in this region the more one wants to yawn in response. You could research this yourself and learn more. Yours is not an original question but it's still a good one.
2006-08-23 06:11:47 · answer #3 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yawning is often caused by a slight deficiency in oxygen levels. This condition exists for everyone in the room. As a result, the subconscious need to yawn comes forward when someone else does.
2006-08-23 06:06:05 · answer #4 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I actually saw something about this on tv not so long ago, apparently it is a behaviour that comes from prehistoric man, before speech was developed primative man used to communicate like other animals, through body language and facial expressions. social yawning was meant to signal that they were feeling relaxed an comfortable in thepresence of one-another.
2006-08-23 06:07:33 · answer #5 · answered by xx_connor_uk_xx 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a built-in instinct. I read somewhere on Yahoo! (no less) that when people yawned back in the cave days it meant it was time for the tribe to go to bed. It was kind of a way to let everyone know.
2006-08-23 06:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by Peapod 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Peer pressure. Subconsciously everyone wants to belong. You only yawn when someone you like does it - you don't want to be the same as someone you dislike.
2006-08-23 06:04:14 · answer #7 · answered by Toubled 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think your brain tricks u into thinking wow that would refresh me and then it makess you yawn, just answering this question made me yawn : )
2006-08-23 06:06:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
did you know that it only starts when you reach the age of 2
2006-08-23 06:08:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure but I know they are contagious. I have always wanted to know this as well. Good question.
2006-08-23 06:03:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋