PubHawk
Brain Imaging Behav March 2013 PMID 22772979

Mirror neuron activity during contagious yawning--an fMRI study.

Helene Haker, Wolfram Kawohl, Uwe Herwig, Wulf Rössler

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Mentions

10
Peak: 2 in Aug 2022
across 4 sources since Apr 2020

Extended reach

143,041
potential audience

Total likes

6,663

Video views

67,793

Mentions per month

Apr 2020 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter6 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Instagram1 posts
  • News1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group's discussions demonstrate strong interest in the topic, with comments like 'Yes. I think so.' and questions such as 'Por que BOCEJAR é contagioso?', reflecting curiosity about the neural basis of contagious yawning. The tone varies from casual affirmation to seeking further information, which contributes to a moderately engaged conversation that acknowledges the importance of mirror neurons in empathy.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussion participants acknowledge or agree with the main idea that mirror neuron activity relates to contagious yawning and empathy.

InterestHigh interest

The posts display curiosity about the biological basis of yawning, with some questioning why it is contagious, indicating high engagement and interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants are referencing the article, sharing links, and engaging in thematic conversation about empathy, showing moderate to deep involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions reflect interest in understanding neural mechanisms, the overall influence on broader audiences or real-world implications appears limited, hence a moderate score.

Abstract in brief

  • The study used fMRI to investigate whether watching yawning activates the human mirror neuron system (MNS), specifically looking at brain activity when subjects viewed yawning faces versus neutral faces.
  • Results showed that observing yawning selectively activated Brodmann’s area 9 in the right inferior frontal gyrus, part of the MNS, indicating that contagious yawning involves neural mechanisms linked to empathy.
  • The findings suggest that contagious yawning is a reflection of motor empathy, which helps individuals share emotional states and may be connected to higher cognitive functions like mentalizing, highlighting its basis in the brain’s empathy-related systems.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dr. Joaquín Mateu-Mollá
@DrJoaquinMateu · X

@kariza12 @hemapilomu Aquí tienes un articulillo al respecto: https://t.co/ltAHYDkMP8

Apr 25, 2020 · 1 like · 68,928 followers View post →
Beverly Nuckols, MD
@bnuckols · X

@ComfortedQuokka @NTFabiano Yes. I think so. It's also one way to learn other expressions of empathy https://t.co/s2SKxIJfKm https://t.co/5qGBYH1g8v

Apr 28, 2025 · 1 like · 2,045 followers View post →
Naa D. Null
@Naanull · X

@AlessiaGuiulfo Entiendo que tiene que ver con las neuronas espejo, pero no soy neurólogo, así que puede que me equivoque. https://t.co/NZFgGKBJaO

Jun 18, 2021 · 1 like · 1,206 followers View post →
Erick 1982
@ErickR1982 · X

@summerkins_ https://t.co/111r2jycFZ

May 25, 2023 · 2,131 followers View post →
Uncertain Doubter
@dbcinchina · X

@UpupaEp55949188 Mirror neurons https://t.co/ziQf5nuftM

May 31, 2022 · 740 followers View post →
CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS
@CIENCIA_DA_VIDA · X

Por que BOCEJAR é contagioso? https://t.co/XHMBPj0jzx

Aug 18, 2022 · 179 followers View post →

All mentions

Beverly Nuckols, MD
@bnuckols · X

@ComfortedQuokka @NTFabiano Yes. I think so. It's also one way to learn other expressions of empathy https://t.co/s2SKxIJfKm https://t.co/5qGBYH1g8v

Apr 28, 2025 · 1 like · 2,045 followers View post →
Erick 1982
@ErickR1982 · X

@summerkins_ https://t.co/111r2jycFZ

May 25, 2023 · 2,131 followers View post →
CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS
@CIENCIA_DA_VIDA · X

Por que BOCEJAR é contagioso? https://t.co/XHMBPj0jzx

Aug 18, 2022 · 179 followers View post →
Uncertain Doubter
@dbcinchina · X

@UpupaEp55949188 Mirror neurons https://t.co/ziQf5nuftM

May 31, 2022 · 740 followers View post →
Naa D. Null
@Naanull · X

@AlessiaGuiulfo Entiendo que tiene que ver con las neuronas espejo, pero no soy neurólogo, así que puede que me equivoque. https://t.co/NZFgGKBJaO

Jun 18, 2021 · 1 like · 1,206 followers View post →
Dr. Joaquín Mateu-Mollá
@DrJoaquinMateu · X

@kariza12 @hemapilomu Aquí tienes un articulillo al respecto: https://t.co/ltAHYDkMP8

Apr 25, 2020 · 1 like · 68,928 followers View post →
Neuroscience Foundation | Despite being a more recent discovery ...
Instagram

35 likes, 0 comments - neurosciencefoundation on August 30, 2025: "Despite being a more recent discovery, we've learned that mirror neurons ...

Aug 30, 2025 View →
Do Narcissists Cry? Plus 4 Other Myths
News

Mirror neuron activity during contagious yawning—an fMRI study. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-012-9189-9; Hepper EG, et al. (2014). Moving ...

Jan 11, 2021 View →