Surely you have noticed that as soon as someone yawns next to you, you also involuntarily yawn. Perhaps even now, when you are reading these lines, you want to yawn. This phenomenon is observed not only in humans, but also in some animals. But why does this happen? Scientists put forward different explanations for this, but there is still no consensus. Moreover, scientists still cannot figure out why and for what purpose we yawn at all. However, recently it has been possible to establish several interesting facts about yawning.
Scientists don't know the exact reason for yawning and its “contagiousness”. Photo source: www.delfi.lt
Contents
- 1 Yawning from an evolutionary perspective
- 2 Why Yawning Is Contagious
- 3 Is Yawning Really Related to Empathy
- 4 Can the contagiousness of yawning be exaggerated?
Yawning from an evolutionary point of view
Yawning is observed in both humans and animals. Moreover, not only mammals yawn, but also many other species, such as birds. Earlier, we already reported that scientists cite a variety of reasons for this phenomenon – additional oxygen supply to the brain, cooling the brain, sending a special signal, etc.
True, not all versions were subsequently confirmed. For example, the version that yawning additionally supplies the brain with oxygen was not confirmed. Scientists also doubt another common version, according to which yawning helps maintain attention. The most reliable seems to be the connection between yawning and the circadian rhythm. In addition, scientists have discovered that yawning actually reduces the brain temperature in some animals.
Not only people yawn, but even birds. Photo source: apus.ru
But, in any case, the exact reason why people yawn has not yet been established. The only thing that can be said for sure is that it arose in the course of evolution a very long time ago – hundreds of millions of years ago, when various vertebrates had a common ancestor. And, apparently, yawning is a necessary survival mechanism, since it has been preserved in a huge number of species.
Why is yawning contagious
First of all, it should be noted that yawning is not “contagious” in all species. A similar phenomenon is observed, for example, in chimpanzees or lions. There is a version according to which yawning is one of the forms of social interaction. For example, ostriches use it to synchronize group behavior. Like people, they yawn when they are going to sleep or after waking up.
According to scientists, yawning may be a kind of signal indicating a change in activity or alertness. Thus, collective safety is increased and the rhythm of the group is maintained. However, there is no evidence for this version yet.
Scientists name different reasons why yawning can be “contagious”. Photo source: www.kp.ru
If we consider the “contagiousness” of yawning from the point of view of neurobiology, then according to some studies, the yawning of another person stimulates areas of the brain that are also responsible for imitation and empathy. In fact, the contagiousness of yawning is a common form of the so-called echo phenomenon. This phenomenon manifests itself in the involuntary imitation of movements, facial expressions, words and other actions of others by a person.
Is yawning really associated with empathy?
As mentioned above, the areas of the brain that are activated during yawning are also part of neural networks associated with empathy and social interaction. Therefore, it is believed that people with mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia are less sensitive to the yawning of others. It is also believed that psychopaths are not prone to yawning, since they lack empathy. However, not all scientists agree with this version.
For example, a study by British scientists showed that the contagiousness of yawning depends on the area of the brain responsible for motor skills, namely the primary motor cortex. The higher its “excitability,” the higher the likelihood that a person will start yawning after seeing another person yawn. When scientists artificially increased the excitability of the primary motor cortex, volunteers who took part in the study became more susceptible to someone else’s yawning.
Study shows yawning is not linked to empathy, study finds Photo: bbc.com
The study's authors say the findings provide further evidence that yawning is not linked to empathy. As for previous studies that link yawning to empathy, the British researchers say their findings are rather ambiguous and inconsistent.
Is the contagiousness of yawning exaggerated?
According to some scientists, the “contagiousness” of yawning may be exaggerated because all studies are based on observing people in groups. In fact, not always another person's yawn causes such a reaction. However, within a group, yawning is almost always contagious.
Yawning may not be as “contagious” as is commonly believed. Photo source: rg.ru
One study showed that factors such as breathing and body temperature can reduce or increase the “contagiousness” of yawning. For example, if you yawn after your colleague at work yawns, the reason may be in the general context. In this case, this general context is eating, which results in a synchronized reaction. But in another situation, for example, if you are walking down the street or exercising in the gym, a stranger's yawn will not cause you to yawn in response.
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In general, yawning and its contagiousness still belong to those phenomena that science is not yet able to explain. Perhaps further research will provide more precise answers on this matter.