Why do we seem to 'catch' a yawn?
by 
-Kyle-School-Kid-
ANSWERS: 2
-
Yawning is supposedly a physiological response to our bodies needing an oxygen boost. It is supposed to make us more aware. I guess we 'catch' them because seeing someone else yawn reminds our unconcious that we are tired and so it responds by making us more alert with a rush of oxygen
-
Actually, I heard it was a kind of collective instinct. A herd typically functions together, waking hunting, grooming and sleeping. So when one animal yawns, there's a strong instinct to yawn as well, signalling the body it's time for sleep. That way, the herd continues to function together. It's a theory.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC