Smile Back at Me, But Only Once
Social Norms of Appropriate Nonverbal Intensity and Reciprocity Apply to Emoji Use
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21475845 |
|---|---|
| Authors | John Picard Stein (0000-0003-3874-0277, University of Würzburg, corresponding author), Jan-Philipp Stein |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 245-266 |
| Publication date | 2023-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Nonverbal Behavior (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0191-5886 • E-ISSN: 1573-3653 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10919-023-00424-x |
| OpenAlex | W4321104122 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 52 |
In computer-mediated communication, small graphical icons ( emojis ) can be used to compensate for the lack of nonverbal cues such as facial expressions or hand gestures. Accordingly, literature suggests that the use of emojis may also be subject to social norms—similar to nonverbal behavior in face-to-face interactions. However, actual empirical investigations into this assumption remain lacking. To remedy this research gap, I explored whether traditional norms of appropriate emotional intensity and reciprocity also apply to emoji usage. A first online experiment ( N = 188) revealed that excessive emoji use in a first-contact scenario leads to diminished interpersonal outcomes, corresponding to the drawbacks of overly intense nonverbal displays in natural interactions. Proceeding to a different communicative stage, Experiment 2 ( N = 242) explored nonverbal reciprocity with acquainted interaction partners. Inviting participants to reply to fictitious text messages (at varying levels of interpersonal intimacy), it was observed that stimulus messages containing more emojis also evoke stronger emoji use in return—indicating that principles of nonverbal attunement are in full effect during text-based online interactions
Body language · Cognitive psychology · Emoji · Facial expression · Gesture · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Nonverbal communication · Social media · Communication · Computer Science · Digital Communication and Language · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Psychology · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence
The Power of a 😉
Semantic and emotional challenges in emoji interpretation across educational levels and digital platforms
The role of digital cues in online banter
Visualizing support
Navigating digital repertoires
Communication accommodation theory
Examining the effects of reciprocal emoji use on interpersonal and communication outcomes
Affective Neuroscience
Interpersonal Adaptation
Cultural similarities and differences in display rules
The Politics of Emotion in Everyday Life
Disintermediating your friends
Connecting minds and sharing emotions through mimicry
The Chameleon Effect as Social Glue
Neurocognitive poetics
A Systematic Review of Emoji
Evaluating the Adequacy of Emoji Use in Positive and Negative Messages from Close and Distant Senders
Emoji as Icebreakers? Emoji can signal distinct intentions in first time online interactions
Nonverbal Behavior
Emojis as social information in digital communication
Tweet with a smile
Relational and Identity Processes in Communication
You’re OK Until You Misbehave
A Re-Explication of Social Norms, Ten Years Later
Emojis and Law
Nonverbal communication and the support process
Human Nonverbal Courtship Behavior—A Brief Historical Review
Two dimensions of interpersonal attitudes
Social attitudes modulate automatic imitation
Reactions to and willingness to express emotion in communal and exchange relationships
Pro-norm and anti-norm deviance within and between groups
Culture, emotion regulation, and adjustment
The halo effect
The chameleon effect
Testing, filtering, and insinuating
| Citations per year | 2.33 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2026 (4) |
| Highly cited | No |