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fawk3s
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One person yawns. Give it 2-5 seconds and the person next to him yawns aswell.
Why does this happen? Is it psychological?
Why does this happen? Is it psychological?
Gordon Gallup, who hypothesizes that yawning may be a means of keeping the brain cool, also hypothesizes that "contagious" yawning may be a survival instinct inherited from our evolutionary past. "During human evolutionary history when we were subject to predation and attacks by other groups, if everybody yawns in response to seeing someone yawn, the whole group becomes much more vigilant, and much better at being able to detect danger.
Jim1138 said:If yawning is a means to keep the brain cool, why don't we see joggers yawning all the time?
runner said:I had a similar reaction to the wiki article zooby. Here's another article that discounts some of the things in the wiki article. According to this one, there's no basis for thinking it removes excess CO2 from the body, something I was told a long time ago. Anyway, I did yawn once while reading this one. Anyone else?
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/yawning.html
lisab said:Just by reading the title but I was already feeling sleepy - it was just the tipping point.
The "Double-Yawn Effect" is a phenomenon where one person's yawn triggers another person's yawn, leading to a chain reaction of yawns within a group. It is also known as contagious yawning.
The exact cause of the "Double-Yawn Effect" is not fully understood. However, it is believed to be related to a combination of social and psychological factors. Seeing someone else yawn can trigger a reflexive response in our own brains, leading to a yawn.
No, the "Double-Yawn Effect" is not universal and can vary among individuals. Some people are more susceptible to contagious yawning, while others may not experience it at all. Age, gender, and certain medical conditions can also impact the likelihood of experiencing the "Double-Yawn Effect".
The "Double-Yawn Effect" is thought to have a social and emotional impact on individuals. It can increase feelings of empathy and social bonding, as well as decrease feelings of isolation or loneliness. It is also believed to have a calming effect on the brain and may help regulate arousal levels.
While it may not be possible to completely control the "Double-Yawn Effect", some studies have shown that being more aware of yawning and trying to suppress it can reduce the likelihood of contagious yawning. Additionally, engaging in activities that require focus and attention can also help prevent the "Double-Yawn Effect".