On the link between emotional contagion and contagious yawning

Palagi et al. (Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 111:149-165, 2020) propose a multidisciplinary approach to the study of spontaneous mimicry, focusing on comparative research on facial mimicry and contagious yawning. In doing so, the authors highlight connections between these behaviors and emotional contagion. The aim of this commentary is to critically evaluate the link between contagious yawning and emotional contagion, address the role of attention in contagious yawning, and promote further research examining the sensory and perceptual factors driving variability in contagious yawning. Contrary to the position of Palagi et al., a strong matching between emotional contagion and contagious yawning has not been established. Variation in contagious yawning appears to be driven by biased attentional processes and yawn detection rather than emotional sharing.

Automated summary

The study explores the relationship between spontaneous mimicry, emotional contagion, and contagious yawning, suggesting that the latter is not strongly linked to emotional sharing but rather influenced by biased attentional processes and yawning detection. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving variability in contagious yawning beyond emotional contagion.