Use the excerpt from the article to answer the question. "Why are yawns contagious?" In 3–5 sentences, identify a central idea and analyze how the question-and-answer text structure develops this idea. Provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

The central idea of the article excerpt about why yawns are contagious is that yawning may be linked to social bonding and empathy among individuals. The question-and-answer structure helps develop this idea by directly addressing a common phenomenon (contagious yawning) and then providing explanations grounded in scientific research, such as the role of mirror neurons in facilitating empathy. For example, when the article mentions that seeing someone yawn can trigger a similar response due to these neurons, it reinforces the concept that yawning is not just a physiological reaction, but also a socially influenced behavior. This structured approach allows readers to clearly understand the mechanisms behind contagious yawning while highlighting its social significance.