Palagi et al. (Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 111:149-165, 2020) propose a multidisciplinary approach to the study of spontaneous mimicry, focusing on comparative research on facial mimicry and contagious yawning. In doing so, the authors highlight connections between these behaviors and emotional contagion. The aim of this commentary is to critically evaluate the link between contagious yawning and emotional contagion, address the role of attention in contagious yawning, and promote further research examining the sensory and perceptual factors driving variability in contagious yawning. Contrary to the position of Palagi et al., a strong matching between emotional contagion and contagious yawning has not been established. Variation in contagious yawning appears to be driven by biased attentional processes and yawn detection rather than emotional sharing.

Palagi等。（Neurosci。Biobehav。Rev. 111：149-165，2020）提出了一种多学科方法来研究自发模仿，重点是面部模仿和传染性打呵欠的比较研究。通过这样做，作者强调了这些行为与情绪传染之间的联系。这篇评论的目的是批判性地评估传染性打哈欠与情感性传染之间的联系，解决注意力在传染性打哈欠中的作用，并促进对驱动传染性打哈欠的变异性的感官和知觉因素进行进一步研究。与Palagi等人的立场相反，情感传播和传染性打哈欠之​​间没有建立牢固的匹配关系。传染性打哈欠的变化似乎是由偏心的注意力过程和打哈欠检测而不是情感共享引起的。