Random article ( of 1105 ) Latest updates

User Tools

Site Tools


content / life_sciences / human_body / contagious_yawning

Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of Unknowns Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of the Unknown

Contagious Yawning

Most people have seen examples of Contagious Yawning in humans. If one person in a group yawns (or convincingly feigns a yawn) it's often quite hard for others to resist. Current estimates are that 40-60% of human yawns are 'contagious'.

Contagious yawing has also been observed and scientifically documented in many other animals including :

  • Chimpanzees
  • Bonobos
  • Orangutans
  • Macaque monkeys
  • Gelada baboons
  • Wolves
  • Domestic dogs
  • Rats
  • Budgerigars
  • Sheep
  • Elephants

Contagious Yawning can also happen between species. A team at Birkbeck College, University of London, recently performed the first formal research to document Trans Species Yawn Contagion. [ man > dog ] ( Ref. Biology Letters Volume 4 Issue 5.)

Another recent study, from the Department of Psychology, Hiram College, US, can be found in Animal Cogntion Open Access12(6):833-837.

There are theories regarding the possible evolutionary advantages to yawn contagion, for example, that contagious yawning may be part of a neural mechanism involved in empathy. ( Ref. Cognitive Brain Research Volume 23, Issues 2โ€“3 )

But a full explanation is currently lacking.


Also see Yawningplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigYawning

The physical and psychological sequences which occur during the yawning process have been widely studied. Nevertheless, the reasons for yawning are disputed and unclear - as is identifying an evolutionary reason to explain the need for it.

"

THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT USE TRACKING, ADVERTISING, OR ANALYTICAL COOKIES OF ANY KIND.
All essential cookies (for login status etc) are automatically deleted at the end of the session.
(full details here)

Show another (random) article

Suggestions for corrections and ideas for articles are welcomed : Get in touch!


Further resources :