Why do you think Yawns are so contagious?
By minx267
@minx267 (15526)
Hartford, Connecticut
October 20, 2009 11:21pm CST
I always find it fascinating that when we hear of contagious- we think illness or disease.. But, who here hasn't found it almost impossible NOT to Yawn when someone else in your vicinity does.. I find it darn near torture to try NOT to yawn- usually I fail miserably.
So why is it that if one person yawns, soon everyone around them will too. And you don't even have to see them yawn- sometimes you only need to hear them.. I have yawned because some I was talking to on the phone yawned. What's up with that?
Do you think there have been or should be studies done on this. Inquiring minds want to know.. ???
4 people like this
14 responses
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
21 Oct 09
For me, it isn't just if someone around me yawns, or if I hear someone yawn. You can simply talk about yawning and I will have to yawn. This discussion alone has me yawning, and fighting back yawns. And, to make matters worse, animals yawning will make me yawn too. I have yawned several times after seeing my dog or one of my cats yawn.
Now, I'm going to leave this discussion before I drive myself crazy yawning.
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
22 Oct 09
LOL. So funny you should mention that.. I was at a visit with my dental hygenist today and I was telling her about this discussion and she started yawning just because we spoke about it- and then of course we were both going.. and well, I had to have my mouth open anyway, but geez! Sorry I made you come back here and get you going again.. lol
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
21 Oct 09
Hi minx, You make a good point here because that is very true, in fact I started to yawn while reading the discussion lol. I find that it usually works for smiles as well, when a smiling cheerful person enters a room, it seems to listen up. Few people can resist a genuine smile. I guess we usually react to the mood of the other person. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
21 Oct 09
That is somewhat true- although I know some grumpy people who would probably sneer at a smile..
However, I have found it very hard to resist that infectious type of laughter. you now the type? Like the videos I have seen posted of giggling babies. I just can't resist smiling and laughing at that. Or at those people that are just laughing so hard you start laughing with them and you have no idea what they were laughing about to begin with..
Thanks for your comment. :)
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 09
It would probably do the world a world of good! May not happen. I think it is a social reaction both of exceptence and of feeling after someone else has that now they can too- it's okay! We have all had it happen to them! It is such a common happening. Yes, fascinating.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Oct 09
I know. It is one of those mysteries of life I think. It is impossible to not yawn. It really is.
@vivianchen (2646)
• China
22 Oct 09
Haha....very interesting!
But i think that is very ture. It's like out of control, if you are with a group of people,one of them start to yawn, sooner or later,everyone in the group start to yawn too. It also happens in the phone, when i talk to people, if they start yawn in the other side of the phone, i yawn too, so strange!
But i think that is very ture. It's like out of control, if you are with a group of people,one of them start to yawn, sooner or later,everyone in the group start to yawn too. It also happens in the phone, when i talk to people, if they start yawn in the other side of the phone, i yawn too, so strange!1 person likes this
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
22 Oct 09
I think when you hear someone yawn or see them most people ask if that person is tired. And then it is just a natural reflects and you yawn too. There probably has been studies done on this but I have read or hear of any.
1 person likes this
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
21 Oct 09
I think it's something like a conditioned reflex. You yawn because you knew exactly how it feels to yawn. Somehow you relate to the person yawning. Just my theory. . .
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
21 Oct 09
Ah, that's exactly what I am after- I would like to hear everyone's theory. I bet there are a bunch of different ones. But I wonder if any studies have been done.
are there any scientific reasons..
It's just strange. I mean we don't all sneeze because someone else is sneezing.. so why the yawn? What's so catchy.?
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
21 Oct 09
I don't know why they are, but I do know that they are. It is really strange.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
21 Oct 09
This question was answered, quite extensively on Dr. Muhamet Oz's show just last week, with a lot of "techno-speak" and the gist of the answer is that, there is a parasympathetic part of our brain, which we do not control (cannot) and it's responds automatically to sound/visual stimulation! As you can see, studies have been done! Cheers!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
23 Oct 09
Dear minx....thank you, so kindly, for the golden pencil! Best response! I truly do appreciate it, added a ray of sunshine to a miserable rainy day!
Were you able to access his blog; or watch any of him on t.v.? If you wish, I can send you a link? Have a superb, happy weekend...and once again. Thank you! Cheers!
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
21 Oct 09
That is awesome- I don't know who Dr. Oz is and I am not sure I wouldn't be bored by the "Techno-speak" but I would like to catch that...
So awesome, I knew it wasn't just me who lacked the control NOT to yawn.
Very cool - I will have to do some research.. thanks for the info?
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
7 Dec 09
Hey now reading about yawning is making me want to yawn especially since I really need to get to bed soon here. It's also a nice conversation start with customers when you are working late.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
21 Oct 09
I do yawn when i feel bored or tired as for examples in a class discussion the reporter or the teacher keep on talking seriously with a little sense of humor. It makes me yawn and when other see me they yawn too for me is an act of boredom or sometimes cause by extreme tiredness when used to get late sleeping at night. I yawn too every time I heard classical music, quiet places and waiting for too long or waiting for someone to arrive which never happen could be one of the many reasons to Yawn.
1 person likes this
@Craicha (801)
•
21 Oct 09
and talking yawning that someone is yawning and your there and you feel yawning too...i think you just carried away by there yawning, especially the yawning for sleepy....coz thats happen to me lots of times if someone i talk to feel sleepy and yawning, were laughing coz i was yawning too and even feel sleepy....coz theres a yawn too for feelin hungry ...
@Craicha (801)
•
21 Oct 09
as we had heared and even noticed lots virus came out this days that made some people get sick...and this virus is airborne carried through airs.....and yah when your yawning you'l opening your mouth and happen your sick from virus so you spread the virus ..so its better to cover our mouth if were yawning either if were sick or not....
