[JohnH]

JohnH asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Why is yawning contagious?   Is this a learned social behaviour or is it a hard-wired biological response?

Thanks!

John from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What do you think?

[Chemistry4me]

Why do we Yawn?

Why are yawns so contagious even from a TV? A graphic designer from Ohio, I listen while at work and find yawns impossible to resist whilst watching them on television.

I’ve got a five week old daughter who yawns. When she yawns he yawns as well. When he yawns she doesn’t yawn. Is the contagious yawning thing learnt or a cultural thing?

[JnA]

I haven't read the links, so if I am repeating apologies.

There is a theory that copying a yawn is only done by empathetic people.