Yawning :
comparative study of knowledge and
beliefs,
popular
and medical
O. Walusinski, R. Meenakshisundaram
P. Thirumalaikolundusubramanian, S. Diwakar,
G.Dhanalakshmi
Institute of Internal
Medicine, Madras Medical College, Chennai,
India
Abstract :
Yawning and pandiculation are a universal
behaviour amongst vertebrates, closer to an
emotional stereotypy than a reflex.
Phylogenetically ancient and ontogenetically
primitive, they exteriorise homeostatic
processes of systems controlling wakefulness,
satiety and sexuality in the diencephalon.
Western and Eastern cultures ascribe different
meanings to these elements of non-verbal
communication, closely related to empathy. We
present a comparative study of popular and
medical views on the subject, in France and
India, revealing that perceptions of yawning are
not very advanced, more closely resembling
beliefs than scientific knowledge. Perhaps
medical training will one day incorporate the
study of this daily behaviour, common to all
human beings.
Since Antiquity, yawning has held as little
interest for philosophers, psychologists and
physiologists, as it has for teachers, moralists
and physicians. And yet, few things are as
common as yawning. Everyone yawns 5 to 10 times
a day. Yawning is a recognized behaviour in
almost all vertebrates from birds to humans, one
which starts in the womb and continues until
death. Although yawning often procures a sense
of well-being for the yawner, attempting to mask
this behaviour is standard practice.
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