---
title: "Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning?"  
description: "A concise explanation of why we yawn when we see someone else yawning"  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-12-05  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3453/why-do-we-yawn-when-we-see-someone-else-yawning  
category: "Human Beings"  
tags: ["yawn", "human being", "Mirror behaviour", "facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning?

![Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/5c507a05-022d-4e53-b68c-b718b7e61e26/images/05d388ae-d062-403a-b216-9abd0ee3166a.jpeg) ![Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/5c507a05-022d-4e53-b68c-b718b7e61e26/images/e80083e2-611b-4507-ae7b-a23c63b7d897.jpeg) Yawning is a contagious behaviour that occurs when we see someone else yawning, although the exact source is unknown. ![Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/5c507a05-022d-4e53-b68c-b718b7e61e26/images/abbf71af-2dd0-430d-9141-d18356c5c422.jpeg) Mirror neurons, which fire when we perform or see others, may be involved in contagious yawning, enabling us to mimic their actions. ![Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/5c507a05-022d-4e53-b68c-b718b7e61e26/images/2075d587-0174-4d54-b8bd-a7942d1b6072.jpeg) Additionally, contagious yawning can improve social relationships by indicating group participation and mutual concern for one another. ![Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/5c507a05-022d-4e53-b68c-b718b7e61e26/images/d8daaaf2-bdd0-4b53-bcd9-600e2c844055.jpeg) Yawning can serve as a type of empathy, subtly conveying feelings of weariness or boredom and allowing us to share their perspective. ![Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/5c507a05-022d-4e53-b68c-b718b7e61e26/images/2cd80583-03f2-402d-912a-dfd38822339a.jpeg) To prevent contagious yawning, avoid gazing at others and cover your mouth to limit airflow and the possibility of others yawning.

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Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3453/why-do-we-yawn-when-we-see-someone-else-yawning

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