A recent study reveals that people tend to use emoticons in a positive way for socialization.
The study, which also further revealed people use emoticons to express emotions and enjoyment, was conducted by Ying Tang and Khe Foon Hew of the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
After analyzing the 51 previous studies on communication through meta-analysis, the researchers found that the emoticons are also used to dodge confusion over communication and “substitute textual expressions.”
According to the study, females use emoticons more than males but males use a greater variety. Emoticons, however, have adverse effects if they are used excessively.
The study revealed contradictory findings. The emoticon senders were perceived as “insincere” while receivers, in some cases, found them to “favorable” and “outgoing.”
To read more: https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/10966
Tang, Y., & Hew, K. F. (2019). Emoticon, Emoji, and Sticker Use in Computer-Mediated Communication: A Review of Theories and Research Findings. International Journal of Communication, 13, 27.