Why are yawns contagious?

[blurredvision]

It a phenomenon that I can't explain. Is there a scientific explanation somewhere?

 

[Mrvile]

Nope.

 

[Ryan]

It's psychosomatic.

 

[jEct2]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
It's psychosomatic.

Addict Insane!

 

[mesonw]

I heard it was due to the fact that when one person yawns, they draw in loads of breath, which in turn makes others worry about the impending shortage or oxygen, so they semi-consciously react by yawning too.

Of course that could've just been the voices in my head that said that.

 

[Mucho]

It reminds you thats its about your bed time.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: jEct2

Originally posted by: rbloedow
It's psychosomatic.

Addict Insane!

keke. Come play my game, I'll test ya.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

<speculation>

It's not really contagious per say. It's just that everybody's 'point of yawning' is pretty much the same, but it varies just slightly. Therefore, once one person starts yawning, that threshold has been reached and it just takes a small modifications to the enviroment to trigger other yawns.

</speculation>
</no facts>

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
It's psychosomatic.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
<speculation>

It's not really contagious per say. It's just that everybody's 'point of yawning' are pretty much the same, but vary just slightly. Therefore, once one person starts yawning, that threshold has been reached and it just takes a small modifications to the enviroment to trigger other yawns.

</speculation>
</no facts>

Good story but it happens when I'm on the phone with people too.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
<speculation>

It's not really contagious per say. It's just that everybody's 'point of yawning' are pretty much the same, but vary just slightly. Therefore, once one person starts yawning, that threshold has been reached and it just takes a small modifications to the enviroment to trigger other yawns.

</speculation>
</no facts>

Good story but it happens when I'm on the phone with people too.

never happens to me, since its mind triggered, i guess i do not becuase i dont let folk tail crap get into my mind

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
It's psychosomatic.

Psychosomatic. Sadly I have to look it up, and now I'm more confused.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
<speculation>

It's not really contagious per say. It's just that everybody's 'point of yawning' are pretty much the same, but vary just slightly. Therefore, once one person starts yawning, that threshold has been reached and it just takes a small modifications to the enviroment to trigger other yawns.

</speculation>
</no facts>

Good story but it happens when I'm on the phone with people too.

I just made it up on the spot. I didn't expect it to hold up

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: rbloedow
It's psychosomatic.

Psychosomatic. Sadly I have to look it up, and now I'm more confused.

Let's use some cliches then.

"You're fine. It's all in your mind. "

or just using lay man's terms.

You aren't sick, you only think you are. But thinking is all it takes.

 

[Insomniak]

Psychosomaticism, in it's simplest incarnation, is the Placebo effect.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Funny thing is, it doesn't work on babies. I have an 8 month old and a 2 1/2 year old, and have tried it on them many times....doesn't faze them.
Yet if they yawn, I yawn.

 

[Crusty]

Just reading this thread made me yawn!

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: rbloedow
It's psychosomatic.

Psychosomatic. Sadly I have to look it up, and now I'm more confused.

Let's use some cliches then.

"You're fine. It's all in your mind. "

or just using lay man's terms.

You aren't sick, you only think you are. But thinking is all it takes.

Indeed, that makes sense now .

 

[kogase]

It works on cats. If I even pretend to yawn in front of my cats they let loose.

 

[mb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yawn

 

[mesonw]

Yeah, used to work on my dog too...

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: kogase
It works on cats. If I even pretend to yawn in front of my cats they let loose.

my parrot does the same thing....it could also just be that she's mimicking me too though

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: MCrusty
Just reading this thread made me yawn!

Same here, I yawned about 3 times reading this thread.

 

[RossMAN]

I've been in an elevator when someone else yawns.

After one of us leaves the elevator I usually yawn as well

Even if it's 11AM and I'm wide awake.