• Question: When you yawn why do people around you also yawn?

    Asked by shaniqua to Mike, Pip, Tianfu, Tim, Tom on 26 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by spongebob2012, kingers7.
    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      I think that it’s supposed to be some sort of primitive pack reaction to show that you’re all in sync with one another. Of course, it could also be that everyone else is as tired or bored as you are.

    • Photo: Tom Lister

      Tom Lister answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      Human nature is to mimic, it’s a social communication thing. Posture and voice are copied too, as well as lots of other things. Yawning shows relaxed confidence, and must be an important communicator in a small group.

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