Auditory contagious yawning in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): first evidence for social modulation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Karine Silva (Author) Other; Joana Bessa (Author) Other; Liliana de Sousa (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Animal Cognition

Vol. 15

Pages: 721-724

ISSN: 1435-9448

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 41 Citations

Scopus - 22 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-8JE

DOI: 10.1007/s10071-012-0473-2

Abstract (EN): Dogs' capacity to 'catch' human yawns has recently attracted the attention of researchers in the field of animal cognition. Following recent studies suggesting that contagion yawning in humans, and some other primates, is empathy-related, some authors have considered the possibility that the same mechanism may underlie contagious yawning in dogs. To date, however, no positive evidence has been found, and more parsimonious hypotheses have been put forward. The present study explored the 'contagion-only' hypothesis by testing whether the mere sound of a human yawn can be sufficient to elicit yawning in dogs, in a way that is unaffected by social-emotional factors. Unexpectedly, results showed an interesting interplay between contagion and social effects. Not only were dogs found to catch human yawns, but they were also found to yawn more at familiar than unfamiliar yawns. Although not allowing for conclusive inferences about the mechanisms underlying contagious yawning in dogs, this study provides first data that renders plausible empathy-based, emotionally connected, contagious yawning in these animals.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4