The Semiotics and Psychology of Emojis in Social Media: A Cinematic and Survey-Based Exploration
Author(s):Eshanvi N Samaga
Affiliation: Computer Science Engineering Student at RNS Institute of technology
Page No: 55-59
Volume issue & Publishing Year: Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2026
published on: 2026/05/14
Journal: International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Application.(IJAMA)
ISSN NO: 3048-9350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20175766
Abstract:
Methodologically, this study combines qualitative and quantitative insights. A structured questionnaire was distributed digitally to various participants across a wide age range and geographic locations. Findings were triangulated with cultural representations in cinema and analyzed using basic thematic coding. The central aim is not only to understand how emojis function semiotically but also to unpack their emotional resonance and generational perception.
In the age of digitized expression, emojis have become central to nonverbal communication on social media. Far from being mere embellishments, these visual symbols encapsulate emotions, intentions, and social cues. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this paper examines the role of emojis in online communication by referencing popular cultural texts such as The Emoji Movie (2017), Inside Out (2015), and Google's short film Mummy, Selfie, Dad (2023). Additionally, this study integrates survey-based insights to reveal generational attitudes and psychological associations with emoji use. The aim is to humanize the emoji phenomenon while grounding it in semiotic theory, communication psychology, and digital culture.
Keywords: Semiotics Emojis ,Psychology of Emojis
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