Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
06:49
A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats
Published on: June 14, 2019
Developmental and comparative perspectives of contagious yawning
1Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK.
Frontiers of Neurology and Neuroscience
|April 2, 2010
Summary
Contagious yawning, triggered by observing others yawn, is linked to empathy. Studies in children and dogs suggest it may involve social communication and theory of mind capacities, particularly in autism spectrum disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Contagious yawning is a recognized phenomenon, but its underlying mechanisms remain elusive.
- Existing research explores developmental and comparative aspects of contagious yawning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on contagious yawning from developmental and comparative studies.
- To investigate the potential link between contagious yawning, theory of mind, social communication, and empathy.
Main Methods:
- Review of developmental studies involving typically and atypically developing populations.
- Review of comparative studies examining contagious yawning in non-human animals, including domestic dogs.
Main Results:
- Contagious yawning is impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, suggesting a connection to theory of mind.
- Contagious yawning is observed in non-primate species like dogs, indicating a potential role in social communication.
- Findings support the hypothesis that contagious yawning is related to empathy.
Conclusions:
- Contagious yawning may share developmental underpinnings with theory of mind.
- The capacity for social communication, especially in species like dogs, may influence contagious yawning.
- Evidence suggests contagious yawning is mechanistically linked to empathy.
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