Mystery of Yawning Unraveled: 4 Theories + Your Personal Insight
In a groundbreaking study conducted at Drexel University in Philadelphia, psychologist Steven Platek aimed to unravel the mystery of contagious yawning and its potential link to empathy. The study, which involved personality tests and observation of students, provided intriguing insights into this fascinating phenomenon.
Contagious yawning, it seems, is primarily linked to social bonding and empathy, mediated by brain mechanisms such as mirror neurons. These neurons, responsible for the power of mirroring, a subtle and unique aspect of body language, are believed to be the driving force behind contagious yawning.
The theory of empathy yawn suggests that yawning might be linked to empathy, with you empathizing with the yawner. In Platek's 2005 study, he observed that students who scored higher on empathy yawned more while watching videos of other people yawning compared to those who scored lower on the scale.
This social asymmetry remains even when yawns are heard but not seen, indicating that it is not just a visual reflex but linked to social and emotional processing in the brain. The next stage of the study involved observing the students' responses to videos of yawning.
Research shows that contagious yawning is associated with the activation of mirror neurons—brain cells that respond when one observes an action performed by another, helping to promote empathy and social connection. This activation is not limited to humans; contagious yawning has been observed in other mammals, birds, and recently, fish, implying deep evolutionary roots related to social communication and group cohesion.
A significant study from the University of Pisa found that yawn contagion frequency correlates with social closeness. The highest frequency was observed among kin, followed by friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Interestingly, children with autism spectrum disorders, a condition often linked to reduced empathy, show less contagious yawning, further supporting the empathy connection.
So, what does this mean for us? Yawning, it seems, is more than just a physical response. It's a phenomenon that reflects a complex social and neurological phenomenon that promotes empathy and social bonding through shared physiological responses triggered by mirror neuron systems in the brain.
The study by Steven Platek at Drexel University also encourages readers to experiment with yawning and observe its effects on themselves and others to better understand contagious yawning. It suggests that one can use yawning as a chain-reaction starter to perk up a room or crack people up.
In heated conversations, yawning can be used as a signal of empathy or as a reset button. However, it's important to remember that while yawning is contagious, it's not always a sign of tiredness or boredom. Instead, it's a powerful tool for social interaction and bonding.
In conclusion, contagious yawning continues to puzzle and intrigue researchers, offering insights into our social and neurological makeup. By understanding this phenomenon, we can better appreciate the power of shared experiences and the role they play in fostering empathy and social connections.
Science reveals that contagious yawning is not merely a physical response, but a complex social and neurological phenomenon that promotes health-and-wellness and mental-health by fostering empathy and social bonding. Additionally, a study from the University of Pisa found that the frequency of yawn contagion correlates with social closeness, with people experiencing increased contagious yawning among kin and friends.
