Why do we yawn?

Yawning is a phylogenetically old behaviour that can be observed in most vertebrate species from foetal stages to old age. The origin and function of this conspicuous phenomenon have been subject to speculations for centuries. Here, we review the experimental evidence for each of these hypotheses. I...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2010-07, Vol.34 (8), p.1267-1276
Main Authors: Guggisberg, Adrian G., Mathis, Johannes, Schnider, Armin, Hess, Christian W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging - physiology
Animals
Arousal
Arousal - physiology
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Temperature Regulation - physiology
Brain - physiology
Communication
Empathy
Evolution
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Models, Biological
Oxygen
Oxygen Consumption
Physiology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social Behavior
Social behaviour
Thermoregulation
Vigilance
Yawning
Yawning - physiology
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Summary:Yawning is a phylogenetically old behaviour that can be observed in most vertebrate species from foetal stages to old age. The origin and function of this conspicuous phenomenon have been subject to speculations for centuries. Here, we review the experimental evidence for each of these hypotheses. It is found that theories ascribing a physiological role to yawning (such as the respiratory, arousal, or thermoregulation hypotheses) lack evidence. Conversely, the notion that yawning has a communicative function involved in the transmission of drowsiness, boredom, or mild psychological stress receives increasing support from research in different fields. In humans and some other mammals, yawning is part of the action repertoire of advanced empathic and social skills.
ISSN:0149-7634
1873-7528
DOI:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.03.008