Emojis are not only a funny way to communicate, they can also reveal your partner’s emotional intelligence.
A new study has found That people with higher emotional intelligence and safe attachments can send emojis more often.
That’s because the texters they used tried to reduce uncertainty about what their messages conveyed, and thus recognize how the recipient might interpret the communication.
Researchers found that this is more common in women who tend to express themselves on a more intimate level.
However, people who suffer from avoidant attachment issues are less likely to share emojis with family, friends or romantic partners.
And men in the study appeared to have that too higher levels of attachment avoidance than women, which researchers linked to them sending fewer emojis to their partners.
A study found that people with higher emotional intelligence are more likely to share emojis with friends, family and romantic partners
This first-of-its-kind study, conducted by researchers at Indiana University, revealed the importance of nonverbal cues that can actually promote healthier and more substantive relationships.
A sample of 320 adults, 191 women and 123 men, were observed using emojis via texting, email, Slack, and other devices.
They were also asked to complete an online survey in which they shared their demographic information, attachment style, emotional intelligence and how often they used emojis.
The researchers found that participants used emojis most often to reduce uncertainty about what they were trying to communicate and convey the tone of a message.
They were also used to clarify messages, lighten the mood or reveal their sense of humor to avoid possible awkwardness.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, suggested “that women may be more emotionally expressive, want to convey more complex meaning, and/or be more precise in their (computer-mediated communication), especially with friends and family.” ‘
This type of communication was limited to everyday relationships, with participants showing reluctance to create these types of social connections with more distant people or business partners.
Women were more likely to send emojis to convey the tone of a message or to maintain a healthy connection with others
According to the study, emojis were also associated with more romantic and sexual interactions and were used to maintain a healthy connection after a first date.
The researchers built on attachment theory, which suggests that experiences of parent-child bonding manifest in other relationships later in life, which could come out through virtual communication.
Those who had developed high levels of anxious attachment or experienced fear of abandonment were among the participants who did not show emotional intimacy by sending emojis to others.
Participants who showed high levels of emotional intelligence by sending more emojis were found to have a combination of self- and social awareness and were able to better manage relationships and deal with conflict.
The study explained that people with greater emotional intelligence viewed emoji-laden messages as self-disclosure, while those with avoidant attachment issues simply saw them as someone sharing factual information.
“This indicates that individuals with higher EI (emotional intelligence) are better at interpreting the emotional signals in emojis,” the study said.
The way we interact during virtual communication can reveal a little more about ourselves. It’s not just a smiley face or heart emoji: it’s a way to convey meaning and communicate more effectively, and the way you use it tells us something about you.”
The researchers said more studies need to be conducted to fully understand the role of emojis in our relationships.
They added that “understanding this intersection could be crucial in understanding the nuances of how people form and maintain relationships in an increasingly digital world.”