Yawning: An evolutionary perspective |
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Authors: | E O Smith |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Anthropology, Emory University Atlanta, 30322, GA |
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Abstract: | Yawning is a ubiquitous activity among humans, nonhuman primates, mammals, birds and other vertebrates. Comparative analysis
suggests that yawning has two major features: (1) communication — whereby the behavior of other individuals is affected, and
(2) direct physiological benefit — whereby the organism is receiving some direct physiological benefit from yawning. Various
functional hypotheses used to explain yawning in an evolutionary context are reviewed. The contagious nature in humans and
the manifest lack of contagion in other species suggests that yawning in humans has a different and as yet poorly understood
evolutionary history. |
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Keywords: | Complex reflex yawning gaping proximate causation ultimate causation |
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