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Why do we yawn when others yawn near us?

Sarah Jenkins
Sarah Jenkins
Lead Content Curator · Jan 5, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

A few people think differently about why this happens. One idea is that when we see another person yawn, our brain tells our body that the area we are in has a low oxygen level. Another is the relationship of being tired, we see another person yawn and then become tired as a result.

100
Words

1 min
Read Time

#110
of 500 in Human Body

+45%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

A few people think differently about why this happens. One idea is that when we see another person yawn, our brain tells our body that the area we are in has a low oxygen level. Another is the relationship of being tired, we see another person yawn and then become tired as a result. Lastly, there is an idea that yawning cools down the brain and allows it to work better, when one person yawns it makes other people's brains think they need to work better as a consequence. That is the extent of my limited knowledge, hope it helps

Analysis

Key Concepts: Another, person, think

This explanation focuses on another, person, think and spans 100 words across 5 sentences. At 45% above the average Human Body explanation (69 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “A few people think differently about why this happens.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 5 connected points.

How This Compares in Human Body

Ranked #110 of 500 Human Body questions by answer depth (top 23%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why we yawn when others yawn near us?

A few people think differently about why this happens. One idea is that when we see another person yawn, our brain tells our body that the area we are in has a low oxygen level. Another is the relationship of being tired, we see another person yawn…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Human Body questions?

This is one of the most thorough answer at 100 words, ranked #110 of 500 Human Body questions by depth. The key concepts covered are another, person, think.

What approach does this answer take to explain we yawn when others yawn near us?

The explanation uses direct explanation across 100 words. It is categorized under Human Body and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.