Sometimes we find that when one person yawns, others who see it will also yawn along, as if yawning is contagious. Why does this happen? Experts have explained the reasons behind it.
According to a report from Live Science, seeing or hearing someone yawn may make you yawn as well. This phenomenon is not limited to humans; some animals also exhibit this behavior.
American psychiatrist and medical consultant Charles Sweet told the website that a type of brain cell known as mirror neurons may play a role in the contagious nature of yawning. Mirror neurons respond to the actions we observe in others.
Sweet said, “When you see someone yawn, these neurons are activated.” This neural mechanism may explain why yawning spreads so easily within social groups.
Previous studies have shown that both humans and animals are more likely to yawn in response to seeing familiar individuals yawn. For example, a study published in 2013 found that when dogs saw their owners yawn, they yawned more frequently compared to seeing a stranger yawn.
Andrew Gallup, a behavioral biologist at Johns Hopkins University, mentioned that this pattern known as “familiarity bias” is likely caused by attentional biases, as people naturally pay more attention to those within their social circles.
Gallup noted a hypothesis suggesting that the evolution of contagious yawning may enhance threat detection within a group. In a study published in 2007, Gallup and colleagues found that yawning helps cool the brain, potentially increasing alertness and cognitive processing efficiency. Researchers stated that if yawning behavior spreads within a group, it could help enhance the group’s awareness of threats.
Another hypothesis proposes that the evolution of contagious yawning is to maintain group synchronization. Yawning follows the natural circadian rhythm, often signifying transitions between activities. Therefore, Gallup explained that when yawning spreads within a group, it may help coordinate activity patterns and behaviors.
Sweet mentioned that at the end of the day, yawning along with others may not necessarily be related to fatigue but rather to interpersonal relationships. “It’s a quiet way for your brain to synchronize with those around you (sometimes even pets).”
As for whether everyone in the same group will be affected by contagious yawning, the answer is no. Studies have shown that only 40% to 60% of participants will yawn in response to watching another person yawn in a video.
Gallup stated that a key question in multiple studies is whether contagious yawning is related to empathy, but results have been inconsistent. Some studies have found that individuals who are prone to contagious yawning have higher empathy levels, while others have not found such a correlation.
Previously reported by Epoch Times, a study from the University of Pisa in Italy revealed that women are more likely to yawn than men, with their yawning rate being about twice that of men. Researchers attributed this phenomenon to the fact that women tend to be more empathetic.