Spreading the Yawn: Why Do We Catch Each Other's Yawns?
Yawning spreading among individuals: A look at the scientific explanation
Yawning, a common yet intriguing human behavior, is contagious - but why? We explored this question with Dr. Christine Blume, a psychologist and sleep researcher at the University of Basel.
"Yawning is universally recognized as contagious," claims Dr. Blume, "but we don't know for certain why it is." Furthermore, the mystery surrounding why we yawn in the first place remains a topic of ongoing research.
Yawning 101: Breaking it Down
Yawning is a reflexive act that typically includes deep breaths, mouth-widening, exhalation, and occasionally eye squinting and tearing. A variety of theories propose that yawning serves a biological purpose, such as improving oxygen supply to the brain or cooling the brain - though these theories have not been conclusively proven.
More Than Just a Reflex
It is crucial to distinguish between spontaneous yawning and contagious yawning, according to Dr. Blume. Spontaneous yawning is more likely to suggest a biological function, as babies in the womb yawn even before they are born. Contagious yawning, on the other hand, probably does not possess a survival-critical function. It likely arises in tandem with social development, says Dr. Blume. This form of yawning becomes contagious in children around age five.
Social Connections at Play
Numerous studies indicate that there is a social component behind contagious yawning. Experiments have shown that participants are significantly more likely to yawn when observing yawning individuals in videos compared to those who only see smiling people. However, the underlying cause of this phenomenon remains unclear.
Empathy and Contagious Yawning
Empathy may play a role in contagious yawning, as more empathetic individuals are more susceptible to catching yawns from others. In contrast, those exhibiting signs of psychopathy, which is characterized by reduced empathy, tend to be less susceptible to catching contagious yawns. However, this does not mean that empathy fully explains contagious yawning.
Investigating Contagious Yawning
Research on yawning is primarily driven by hypotheses, according to Dr. Blume. At present, various theories are being developed and tested to unlock the secrets of yawning and its contagious nature. This research may someday help us understand the purpose of yawning and the reason it is so easily spread.
From humans to pets and other animals, yawning is a widespread phenomenon. Dogs can even catch human yawns, particularly from their owners. Even fish yawn, but only spontaneously to draw water into their throats.
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extra insights:
Mirror Neurons and Yawning Contagion
Mirror neurons, a type of brain cell that fires in response to both performing an action and observing another perform the same action, have been linked to contagious yawning. These neurons are essential for empathy and understanding others' actions and emotions. In the context of yawning, mirror neurons may facilitate imitation, leading to the neural activation that results in yawning.
Recent studies on chimpanzees observing androids suggest that non-biological entities can trigger social responses, further supporting the role of mirror neurons in contagious yawning.
Brain Areas Involved in Contagious Yawning
Areas of the brain associated with social cognition and empathy, such as the temporal parietal junction and the precuneus, are activated during contagious yawning. The exact neural pathways and mechanisms involved in this process are still under investigation.
- The research on contagious yawning involves investigating the role of mirror neurons, a type of brain cell that fires when both acting and observing the same action, which are essential for empathy and understanding others' actions and emotions.
- The advancements in yawning research, such as understanding the role of mirror neurons, may potentially provide insights into health and wellness, mental health, and public policy related to research in the field of science.
