What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate how emoji influence the perception of emotional valence in text messages, particularly for negative content.

April 25, 2026Computers in Human Behavior Reports0 citationsOpen Access

Emoji Are Ineffective for Expressing Intense Negative Emotions Online

Sad face: emoji are not appropriate for expressing intense negativity online

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Randomized trial tests emoji's impact on emotional valence in text messages, suggesting limitations for negativity.

The study aims to evaluate how emoji influence the perception of emotional valence in text messages, particularly for negative content.
N = 126 participants read positive and negative text messages with or without emoji.
Participants rated the messages on perceived valence and appropriateness, and reported their emotional responses.
Messages included variations of highly and mildly positive or negative content.
Emoji increased perceived positivity and emotional contagion in all messages except for highly negative ones.
Participants saw mildly negative messages as more appropriate with emoji, but highly negative messages were unaffected.
There is a clear asymmetry: emoji effectively enhance positive content but not intense negative content.

Erle et al. (2026) studied this question.

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April 25, 2026Computers in Human Behavior Reports0 citationsOpen Access

Sad face: emoji are not appropriate for expressing intense negativity online

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

Randomized trial tests emoji's impact on emotional valence in text messages, suggesting limitations for negativity.

The study aims to evaluate how emoji influence the perception of emotional valence in text messages, particularly for negative content.
N = 126 participants read positive and negative text messages with or without emoji.
Participants rated the messages on perceived valence and appropriateness, and reported their emotional responses.
Messages included variations of highly and mildly positive or negative content.
Emoji increased perceived positivity and emotional contagion in all messages except for highly negative ones.
Participants saw mildly negative messages as more appropriate with emoji, but highly negative messages were unaffected.
There is a clear asymmetry: emoji effectively enhance positive content but not intense negative content.

Erle et al. (2026) studied this question.

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