Why do we yawn when someone else does?

I have heard that it is an instinctive way for us to coordinate our sleeping patterns. I’m not sure if that has ever bee proven, though.
I think it applies to anyone in our “clan” or “tribe” or whatever you want to call it. I know that if I yawn, my dog will often follow suit. And vice versa.

@TheOnlyNeffie I never knew that. It makes perfect sense! Certainly a clan would want to have a coordinated sleep schedule otherwise each member would keep the other members awake.
On the other hand if the tribe has only one shower it does cause some problems in the morning.

Supposedly the same reasoning applies to night owls vs morning larks. Some of us are supposedly hard wired to be up at night, to keep watch while everyone else sleeps. Very pervasive instincts, despite having lost all use in modern society.
Makes me wonder if there has ever been a study on whether or not night owls are as susceptible to contagious yawns as morning people.

Let’s test that theory.…....I know I yawned!

@ucme I watched it but since I knew what was supposed to happen, I resisted. But, as I type this I have that feeling in my jaw that… I… need… to… yawn… (I did it. Darn it!)

@worriedguy Yeah it’s an interesting….irritating phenomenon. Yawning in unison, sounds like a Steve Martin movie!

Telepathy.