Research on the Connection Between Emotional Factors and the Dissemination Process of Hot Words

Abstract

In the era of the popularization of network social media, hot words appear frequently. This study focused on exploring the dissemination process of common hot words, such as phrases or names of people, things, and events. The research assumed that emotional factors play a role in the dissemination process of hot words. A case study was conducted using Weibo. Our focus was the dissemination process of the word “Covid-19†from January 23 to March 31, 2020. This paper summarizes the connection during this period between the hot discussion amount of the word “Covid-19†and the emotions of netizens on Weibo. Combining specific data on hot discussion amount and the percentages of seven emotions (happiness, love, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise) shown in the comments of netizens, this study verified that there is a significant positive correlation between the emotion of “surpriseâ€/“fear†and the hot discussion amount of the word “Covid-19,†indicating that there is indeed a connection between emotional factors and the dissemination process of hot words. This result can help bring clarity to the current social situation and its effects on public psychology and illuminate the trends of social development. In addition, the research results can contribute to the development of language and society.