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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 26, 2026

A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats
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Why contagious yawning does not (yet) equate to empathy.

Jorg J M Massen1, Andrew C Gallup2

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Summary

The link between contagious yawning and empathy remains unclear. Current evidence is inconsistent, suggesting more rigorous research with objective measures is needed to confirm any association.

Keywords:
Attentional biasesContagious yawningEmotional contagionEmpathyNeuroimagingYawning

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Social Behavior

Background:

  • A proposed link exists between contagious yawning and empathy.
  • The conceptual basis for this connection requires critical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review empirical evidence on the association between contagious yawning and empathy.
  • To identify limitations and confounding factors in existing research.

Main Methods:

  • Critical review of studies on inter-individual differences in contagious yawning.
  • Analysis of research on empathy, familiarity, sex, psychological disorders, development, and neuroimaging.

Main Results:

  • The empirical evidence for a link between contagious yawning and empathy is inconsistent and inconclusive.
  • Limitations include confounding variables like visual attention and social inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • The current evidence does not robustly support a connection between contagious yawning and empathy.
  • Future research should employ more rigorous methodologies and objective measurements.