Tetraphenylfuran (TPF) and its control molecule tetraphenylthiophene (TPT), which are structurally similar to the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsilole, were synthesized. Surprisingly, investigation of its photo-physical properties showed that TPF exhibits the aggregation-caused quenching effect instead of AIE characteristics, whereas TPT exhibits a quite weak AIE effect. Combining experimental results and theoretical calculations, this phenomenon was concluded to be co-caused by the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR), the mechanism of AIE, and the conjugation effect. Thus, this work provides an insight into RIR, which will greatly promote the development of AIE.