Yawning 8216;a sign of deep humanity8217;

8220;However yawns arise,and whatever they signify,such a spontaneous copying response to a second person8217;s signal of mood is an unmistakable sign of empathy; of an ability to understand and to react to someone else8217;s state of mind.

8220;Empathy is what makes us into social and cooperative beings,and the speed and extent with which a person yawns in response to another8217;s involuntary gape may be a quick and objective measure of to what degree he or she might be blessed with those useful talents.

8220;Chimps do yawn,and they,like us,respond in kind when shown a computerised avatar indulging in the pastime. For them,though,the gesture is a statement of dominance rather than sympathy and in other primates it may even be a sign of an imminent attack.

8220;Perhaps what most people regard as an impolite act,to be disguised with a strategically placed hand when in company,is instead a deep insight into what it means to be human. Man as a yawning rather than thinking ape may lack dignity,but reveals a new and attractive side to his personality,8221; Prof Jones said.