Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Associations Between Second-Language Proficiency and Executive Functions in Autistic and Neurotypical Children.

Open mind : discoveries in cognitive science·2026

Same author

Update on the current state of speech and language testing in Alzheimer's disease.

Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD·2026

Same author

The Utility of Speech and Language Analytics for Screening Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuro-degenerative diseases·2026

Same author

Symptoms of Oppositional Behavior In autistic Adolescents and Adolescents Who Have Lost the Autism diagnosis.

Research on child and adolescent psychopathology·2026

Same author

Mimicry and social affiliation with virtual partner are decreased in autism.

Research in autism spectrum disorders·2026

Same author

The Relationship Between Gait Task Performance and Plasma Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults and Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Clinical interventions in aging·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats

A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats

Published on: June 14, 2019

Contagious yawning in autistic and typical development.

Molly S Helt¹, Inge-Marie Eigsti, Peter J Snyder

¹Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. molly.helt@uconn.edu

Child Development

|September 16, 2010

Summary

Contagious yawning emerges significantly by age 4 in children. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show reduced susceptibility, with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) being less affected than full Autistic Disorder.

More Related Videos

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

Published on: April 9, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats

A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats

Published on: June 14, 2019

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

Published on: April 9, 2014

Area of Science:

Developmental Psychology
Neuroscience
Social Cognition

Background:

Contagious yawning is a social phenomenon linked to empathy and mimicry.
Understanding its developmental trajectory and variations in neurodevelopmental disorders is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the developmental emergence of contagious yawning in typically developing children.
To examine contagious yawning susceptibility in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

Main Methods:

Assessed contagious yawning frequency in 120 children aged 1-6 years.
Evaluated contagious yawning in 28 children with ASD (aged 6-15 years) and compared them to age- and mental age-matched controls.
Compared susceptibility between children with ASD, PDD-NOS, and full Autistic Disorder.

Main Results:

Contagious yawning frequency significantly increased around 4 years of age.
Children with ASD exhibited diminished susceptibility to contagious yawning compared to controls.
Children with PDD-NOS were more susceptible than those with full Autistic Disorder.

Conclusions:

Contagious yawning develops significantly in early childhood.
Reduced susceptibility in ASD suggests a potential link between contagious yawning, mimicry, and social-emotional processing.
Findings offer insights into the nuances of social contagion in different autism spectrum presentations.