Are yawns contagious? Depends on
who's yawning, scientists say
By Los Angeles Times, Adapted by Newsela staff on 02.11.16
Word Count 386
Robert B. Thomas, 14, of Vincent, Ohio, yawns during the second round for competitors of the National Spelling Bee at
the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C., June 3, 2010. At left is Laura Olivia Newcombe, 11, of Toronto, Canada.
Scientists found that women are more likely than men to yawn back if they see someone yawning. Photo: Astrid Riecken/
MCT
To yawn is to open the mouth wide and take in a big breath. It takes about the same time
as it takes to count to six. People yawn when they are tired or bored. Some people yawn
when other people do.
Scientists from Italy studied yawning. Italy is a country on the continent of Europe. A
continent is a very large piece of land.
The Italian scientists did tests to find out how yawns spread. A person who sees a friend
yawn might also yawn. A person who is very awake can still catch one. Hearing a yawn
may make a person yawn. They may yawn if they see a yawn. A person could read about
about yawning and start to yawn. Even thinking about yawning could cause a yawn.
Feeling What Others Feel
Scientists say people who feel what other people are feeling catch more yawns. It seems
to start when children are 4 or 5 years old. That is when children start to feel what others
do. In old age, catching yawns slows down. Feeling what others do also falls in old age.
Scientists looked at why catching yawns is related to feelings. They say it uses the same
neurons. Neurons are cells that send messages to the brain. They also send messages to
the rest of the body. Scientists say catching yawns happens more with friends and family.
People are not the only ones who catch yawns. Dogs and some other animals do too.
Animals can even catch yawns from people.
Special Skill Is Important
Women feel what other people are feeling more than men. The Italian scientists thought
women must catch more yawns, too. They wanted to find out. The scientists watched
people at work and other places. They watched the same people for five years. The
scientists recorded many yawns.
They found no difference in regular yawning. They did find that women caught more yawns
than men did. Scientists also found something else. Men and women both yawned when
friends and family yawned. They did not yawn much when strangers yawned.
Scientists say that the ability to feel more may help women in other ways. It might make
them better at skills that use feelings. Being a parent is one of those skills. Talking and
living in groups are others.
Quiz
1
2
3
How do people catch yawns from others?
(A)
They are tired or bored.
(B)
They have special skills for feeling.
(C)
They feel how the other person feels.
(D)
They are standing near the other person.
According to the scientists, who caught the most yawns?
(A)
women
(B)
men
(C)
4 or 5 year olds
(D)
dogs and other animals
Read the selection below.
Scientists looked at why catching yawns is related to feelings. They
say it uses the same neurons.
What is the meaning of "related to" in the sentence above?
4
(A)
similar to
(B)
connected to
(C)
compared to
(D)
next to
Read the sentence below.
Scientists say that the ability to feel more may help women in other
ways.
What is an "ability"?
(A)
a feeling
(B)
a choice
(C)
the right thing to do
(D)
the power to do something
Answer Key
1
2
3
How do people catch yawns from others?
(A)
They are tired or bored.
(B)
They have special skills for feeling.
(C)
They feel how the other person feels.
(D)
They are standing near the other person.
According to the scientists, who caught the most yawns?
(A)
women
(B)
men
(C)
4 or 5 year olds
(D)
dogs and other animals
Read the selection below.
Scientists looked at why catching yawns is related to feelings. They
say it uses the same neurons.
What is the meaning of "related to" in the sentence above?
4
(A)
similar to
(B)
connected to
(C)
compared to
(D)
next to
Read the sentence below.
Scientists say that the ability to feel more may help women in other
ways.
What is an "ability"?
(A)
a feeling
(B)
a choice
(C)
the right thing to do
(D)
the power to do something