British scientists from the University of Chester found that preferences when choosing emojis are associated with individual character traits, social behavior and mental health. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Psychological Reports (PsyRep).
Psychologists have found that certain expressions activate areas of the brain responsible for processing emotions. They also affect the perception of communication by softening or emphasizing the information conveyed.
222 people participated in the research. They completed surveys assessing anxiety and depression levels, social behavior, personality traits, and various aspects of emoji use (including frequency, motivation, and preferences for certain symbols).
The results showed that social behavior was associated with all aspects of emoji use, including frequency, motivation, and attitude. Social engagement, extraversion, and agreeableness predicted positive image preference. But overall, people who reported poor mental health tended to choose negative emojis.
According to psychologists, the choice of emoji serves as a signal that indicates individual differences and mood.
Previous scientists reported due to the lack of enough emojis featuring worms and spiders.