Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have my project due soon and i was wondering if you can help because i have not started on my project and the question is, is yawning contagious?

Hi!

Seems like most people think yawning is contagious. Here is a a google search on the subject -looks like you can find plenty of background research on the subject:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=n ... contagious

Sounds like it could be a great project!

Hello,

I see that the Expert before me suggested putting your question through a search engine to find results, which is always a good way to get information. However, you mentioned that your project is due soon, so are you looking to test your question, or provide adequate research and evidence of other tests for your project? Here's one good link I found that explains theories pretty well: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6270036.stm If you want to test this question, you could take a group of people, have one person start yawning and count who follows [it would be important not to tell people what you are looking for then, to make your test completely objective]. Another test could include giving a group of people a picture of a yawning person or an article about yawning to see who yawns while reading or looking at the picture. I mention this because on a particular SAT test that I took there was an article about yawning and some reasons why it could be contagious, and sure enough me along with the rest of the room subconsciously yawned when reading it.

Some other links that might help:
http://www.tv.com/mythbusters/is-yawnin ... mmary.html
http://scienceline.org/2007/09/24/ask-anderson-yawn/


Good luck!
Susan