Some people can’t seem to send a text without throwing an emoji or three in there and they’re going to love this research. According to a new study, if you use lots of emojis when messaging your besties, you may be more emotionally intelligent - or better able to understand both your emotions and those of others.
For the study, researchers with Indiana University surveyed 320 adults about their emoji use, emotional intelligence and attachment styles.
- They found that participants often use emojis to clear up any confusion about the tone of what they’re trying to communicate or to lighten the mood.
- The study concludes that people who use a lot of emojis tend to have higher emotional intelligence, which is the ability to “understand, perceive and manage your emotions and the emotions of others.”
- But those who use emojis less often with friends or romantic partners are associated with a personality style known as avoidant attachment, which can include making independence a priority over emotional closeness and intimacy.
“This is the first study to examine emoji use in tandem with key individual characteristics related to people’s communication abilities and interpersonal relationships,” the study authors explain. “The way we interact during vital communications may reveal something more about ourselves. It is not just a smiley face or a heart emoji—it's a way to convey meaning and communicate more effectively, and how you use it tells us something about you.”
Source: NY Post