Ernst, Claus-PeterHuschens, Martin2017-12-282017-12-282018-01-03978-0-9981331-1-9http://hdl.handle.net/10125/49947Non-verbal communication cues, e.g. facial expressions, and their surrogates in computer-mediated communication, emoticons, influence how a message is understood. Based on the four-ear model of communication, we examine in detail how emoticons affect message perception. More specifically, we examine the different effects of three emoticons [:-) :-( ;-)] on the four levels that define communication. Using a factorial survey with a treatment control group design (N = 231), our findings suggest that emoticon usage does not influence the understanding of a message at the factual information and appeal levels. However, we show that the usage of happy and ironic emoticons significantly shapes the subtext of a message, namely the relationship and self-revelation level, whereas sad emoticons do not have such an effect. These findings hold practical implications: Most importantly, senders can use happy and ironic emoticons to soften their email messages’ illocutionary force at the relationship level and self-revelation level.11 pagesengAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 InternationalSocial and Psychological Perspectices in Collaboration ResearchComputer-Mediated Communication,Emoticons,Factorial Survey,Four-Ear ModelConference Paper10.24251/HICSS.2018.060