Question

Use this excerpt from the "Why are yawns contagious? We asked a scientist" article to answer the question.%0D%0A%0D%0ABased on the information in the article, make a logical inference about why yawns are contagious. In 3–5 sentences, provide specific evidence from the text to support your inference and explain why your reasoning is logical and valid.%0D%0A%0D%0A(4 points)

Answer 1

To make a logical inference about why yawns are contagious, we can suggest that yawning serves as a social and physiological signal among humans and possibly other animals. The article notes that yawning may promote alertness and social bonding, indicating that it functions beyond just a personal response to tiredness. When one person yawns, it could trigger others to yawn as a form of synchronous behavior, fostering group cohesion and awareness. This reasoning is valid as it aligns with the notion of social cues influencing behavior within groups, thus reinforcing the idea that yawning is a communal rather than isolated action.