Have you ever found yourself yawning simply because you saw someone else do it?
Yawning is one of those little mysteries of human behaviour that scientists still haven’t fully cracked, but there are some fascinating theories about why we seem to “catch” a yawn so easily.
The leading theory suggests that contagious yawning is linked to empathy and our social connection to others.
Essentially, it might be that when we see someone yawn, certain ‘mirror neurons’ in our brains activate, prompting us to yawn in response.
Mirror neurons are thought to play a role in how we connect with and understand others’ emotions, and they might even be a key reason why contagious yawning exists.
When we yawn after someone else, it could be that our brains are mirroring their action to build a sense of connection.
This is why contagious yawning often happens more among people who are close to us, like friends and family members.
Studies even suggest that people with higher levels of empathy are more likely to ‘catch’ a yawn, which adds to the idea that it’s about social bonding.
Another theory suggests that contagious yawning may have an evolutionary function.
In ancient times, it might have helped synchronise group behaviours, like preparing to rest or stay alert.
In this way, yawning could have served as a silent signal, helping groups keep a rhythm and feel more in tune with each other.
While scientists are still exploring these theories, the main takeaway is that yawning seems to be a small but meaningful way we connect with others – helping us share not just a moment, but a bit of empathy, too.
Contagious yawning isn’t limited to humans; some animals seem to ‘catch’ yawns too, especially those with close bonds to us.
Studies show that dogs, in particular, can pick up on their owner’s yawns, likely due to the strong social connection and empathy they feel toward humans.
Primates like chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest evolutionary relatives, also display contagious yawning, suggesting it plays a role in social bonding within their groups. Even wolves yawn contagiously within their packs, which could help maintain group cohesion.
Cats, however, are less affected—though they yawn frequently, they don’t seem to ‘catch’ yawns in the same way, possibly due to their more independent nature.
These examples remind us that yawning is more than just a sign of tiredness; it can be a subtle yet meaningful way of connecting across species.
Sam ‘feeling sleepy’ Hobbs