Why Do People Yawn When They See Others Yawn?

Yep, you've got it right.....it's a subconcious reaction, although the exact reason why it's contagious is as yet unproved...although there are various theories. These include a group idealisation of being time to sleep, the equivalent of stretching(apparently increase's circulation and heart rate), also purported to stabilise pressure on the inner ear....but then why does your dog or cat yawn and then you feel the need to yawn... and vice a versa...next time you yawn in front of your dog or cat, see if they yawn?

I think we yawn when we see others do so because it signals our brains that it's quite alright to yawn, too, don't you think? =)

I do know that when a room builds up in carbon dioxide, a lot of people in the room, the carbon dioxide causes you to become sleepy and you begin to yawn even if you are not tired. It would seem to me that yawning is the streching of the neck and head muscles in order for the veins to constrict and move blood more rapidly to the brain. So hypoxia of the brain or carbon dioxide would trigger it.

Here Are Some Quick Did You Know Facts On Yawning: Reading about yawning will make you yawn. Yawning is contagious. Seeing someone yawning will make you yawn too, usually within five minutes. Most yawns occur during the hour before sleeping and the hour after waking. All animals yawn - fish, birds, snake, dogs, cats etc. Research has shown that at 11 week old fetuses yawn. The average duration of a yawn is about 6 seconds. Did you yawn while reading all of this? If you did, I hope it was not from boredom. I am yawning as this sentence is being written (YAWN).

yes i feel yawning is contagious...and it happens wen someone around u yawns..and i have read this in some article...but dont know the exact reason...may be because wen u see someon ywan...ur nerves feel lazy too..and it performs yawning...

I've watched a documentary sometimes ago, they said that yawning is got to do with adapting theirselves to the people surrounds you, subconciously. Its something like making yourself belongs to the group. People that yawn back tends to be more social.

Well, this is the same as seeing a person who is about to puke. I think it is psychological. The brain's impulse to such visual cue is to do the same. That's one of the mysteries of being human. =)

Great discussion I always wondered the same thing. Now Ive got an answer. thx