Have you ever started yawning just because someone else did? That’s contagious yawning — a real and fascinating phenomenon. And it’s not just humans; some animals do it too.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Charles Sweet, this happens because of mirror neurons in our brains. When we see someone yawn, these neurons activate and trigger a similar response in us.
Research shows we’re more likely to yawn when someone familiar yawns. In a 2013 study, dogs yawned more when their owners did — showing a “familiarity bias.”
Dr. Andrew Gallup suggests yawning cools the brain, boosting alertness. If yawning spreads in a group, it may raise collective vigilance — useful for detecting threats.
Another theory? Yawning helps group members sync their activity. Observations of African lions showed that lions who yawned in response to another were more likely to mimic their movements.
Not everyone yawns contagiously. Psychopathic traits (like lack of empathy) are associated with a reduced response to others’ yawns.
In the end, contagious yawning isn’t just about sleepiness — it’s our brain’s subtle way of connecting with those around us.
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