X

We detected that you're visiting our site from the UK. Would you like to visit the ChaCha UK website?

Why is yawning contagious?


Rate This Answer

Yawning releases carbon dioxide (CO2). Large groups produce large amounts of CO2, yawning gets rid of it.

Answered -

Older Answers

Rate Answer

Sep 15, 2010 ... Yawning when others yawn is a sign of empathy and a form of social bondi

Answered by Lauren H. -

Rate Answer

It may not be one of life's deepest mysteries, but as scientific conundrums go, it has a peculiar staying power. Why is yawning contagious?

Answered by Dustin H. -

Rate Answer

Some current theories focus on yawning as a social cue (like laughing) that communicates information and helps organize ...more?

Answered by Eurico C. -

Rate Answer

In an effort to find the answer, the Finnish government funded a brain study. The results confirmed it is unconscious. ChaCha on!

Answered by Christopher H. -

Rate Answer

Seeing someone yawn activates the superior temporal sulcus in the brain which causes us to mirror actions, hence it's contagious.

Answered by Joann H. -

Rate Answer

In an effort to find the answer, the Finnish government funded a brain study. The results confirmed it is unconscious. ChaCha on!

Answered by Norma F. -

Rate Answer

The exact mechanism and reasons of why one yawns in response to others yawning is still not clearly understood. ChaCha!

Answered -

Rate Answer

When we contagiously yawn we are participating in an ancient, hardwired ritual to help groups stay alert and detect danger.

Answered by Christine J. -

Related Questions

View More »

Comments

Advertisement