*yawn*

August 7, 2003 10:21 AM

Why is yawning contagious? Scientists at SUNY Albany have a theory. It's got something to do with "mental state attribution" (i.e. the ability to inferentially model the mental states of others). Nature Magazine has a decent summary here for those that don't want to read the paper.
posted by Ufez Jones (10 comments total)

I must be empathetic. I yawned when I read it.
posted by gamemaker at 10:36 AM on August 7, 2003

I read an article a couple of years ago that theorized that we developed contagious in the monkey-years of humanity because it was best for the group if everybody went to sleep and woke up at the same time. Thus, one starts yawning and we all go to sleep. Simple.
posted by crazy finger at 11:27 AM on August 7, 2003

I haven't stopped yawning yet. Am I too empathetic? Or is it time for bed?
posted by MsVader at 11:29 AM on August 7, 2003

I just yawned after reading the phrase "why is yawning contagious". There's nobody else in the room.

I'd read the theory, but that'd just lead to more yawning.

ah ah ah ah aaaaaaaaaaaaaahmmmmmmm
posted by Twang at 11:32 AM on August 7, 2003

Ufez .. you must be a subscriber, us hoi-polloi can't read it without a subscription. I was curious to see if the article mentioned mirror neurons, fascinating little structures which would explain this and much more.
posted by grahamwell at 1:06 PM on August 7, 2003

mirror neurons,
The mirror linked article made me wonder, do humans yawn when they see a monkey or other animal yawn?
I yawned reading the article what I'd like to point out, just had dental work done and not in the mood to open my mouth.
posted by thomcatspike at 1:35 PM on August 7, 2003

theorized that we developed contagious in the monkey-years of humanity because it was best for the group if everybody went to sleep and woke up at the same time. Thus, one starts yawning and we all go to sleep.

I remember hearing that theory too. I scratched my head over it for a long time. How does it explain anything? Yawning doesn't actually make you go to sleep, and why would it be better for everyone to go to sleep at the same time, anyway? Bogus 70's armchair anthropology....
posted by scarabic at 1:38 PM on August 7, 2003

You guys are unfeeling monsters compared to me. I yawn if I pass by a sign for a lawn-care business, or a store that sells awnings.
posted by Hildago at 1:45 PM on August 7, 2003

What about if you see Goldie Hawn riding a fawn?
posted by squirrel at 4:34 PM on August 7, 2003

It's the yawning gape of the existential abyss that really gets to me.
posted by scody at 5:05 PM on August 7, 2003