What causes two people to yawn at the same time ?

Question

If your sitting in class or in a social setting with several people , the yawn of one individual will trigger that of many others.

Answer 1

chain reaction

Answer 2

There is a theory that yawning used to be a way of communication many many years ago.. so when we yawn we are some how indirectly carrying out a communication method there are some proof to this theory that i read a while back but cant really remember now. Although many ppl say that it is coincidental i believe that it is a way of communicating or was.
People also say that yawning is a way for the body to get oxygen, even if this is proven itdoes not explain how others yawn when one person does.

Answer 3

Here's the best theory I've heard. We tend to yawn when we are tired because we are breathing more shallowly than normal and the oxygen level in our blood is lower. The "sympathetic" yawn your question is about is thought to be an evolutionary leftover. When our ancestors lived in caves/small dwellings and burned wood for warmth/cooking/light Carbon monoxide poisoning was a very real danger if the area wasn't well ventilated. The yawn trigger is basically a signal to check your oxygen level and get it up. Natural selection led to people with great yawn reflexes because they survived to pass on this trait to future generations. Darwinian evolution at work-survival of the fittest. If I just talk about yawning, my reflex gets triggered.

Answer 4

When someone yawns their ears often "pop" releasing pressure inside their ear canals. This has thereby released some pressure into the world. If you are nearby then this will cause pressure on your ear canals which you then have to release...causing you to yawn as well. :)

I'm just kidding. :) A friend of mine says this all the time.

I've looked it up and there is no answer. People yawn when they need oxygen. For some reason it's associated with being tired and seeing someone else yawn or even reading about yawning can cause us to have to urge to yawn. So far it hasn't been explained.

Answer 5

It is a matter of pressure. A person yawns because the pressure inside the head is different from the outside pressure. The yawn equalizes the pressure.

Unfortunately the release of the pressure changes the pressure in the room. This in turn causes the next person to yawn.... which causes the next person to yawn and so fourth.

Answer 6

Its really a myth that something causes it. Watched mythbuster and found out. It could be that when people see people yawning it reminds them of sleep and can make them feel tired thinking about sleep. But just a theory.

Answer 7

When you see someone yawn, your brain thinks there's not enough oxygen, so you yawn to take more oxygen in. Its contagious!

Answer 8

The power of suggestion! It is that simple. If you stand on a street corner and stare at the sky, many people will also do the same thing. Its the same thing.

Answer 9

science says that when our body does not get enough oxygen we yawn so if somebody is not getting enough oxygen the person next to him/her also won't get it..... and the psychological reason behind it is that yawning is a sign that u r not interested, tired or getting bored. so when somebody yawns, the next person will also realize (psychological fundamental) that he/she is also getting bored, or not interested or tired.....wt ever... so...!!!

Answer 10

It's a subconscious sympathetic reaction. Sort of like the paranoia you get when someone mentions fleas and you start itching.