Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture

Abstract This article examines the role of media in representing public opinion and how such representations influence the legislative behavior of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament of Iran). The central issue of this research is how topics such as improper veiling (bad hijab) and dog walking, through repeated coverage in the media and religious tribunes, are transformed into political-legal issues and subsequently lead to the enactment of laws and legislative bills. The primary aim of the study is to explain the discursive mechanisms that link public opinion, media representation, and legislative response.The main research question is: how do media representations of public opinion create the conditions for legislative action by the parliament? The hypothesis of the study suggests that legislators, under pressure from dominant media and religious discourses, respond through a reflexive process, enacting reactive laws rather than relying on expert analysis. The research employs a critical discourse analysis method and adopts a qualitative approach. The study population includes official media texts, religious sermons, and legal documents related to the two selected cases: chastity and hijab, and the prohibition of dog walking, within the time frame of 2020 to 2024.

Abstract The psychological analysis of cinema characters, particularly those with personality disorders, as an interdisciplinary approach in psychology and media studies, can lead to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and psyche. This study aimed to examine personality disorders in the main characters of selected films and analyze them based on DSM-5. The research was conducted using a systematic review method by searching databases such as Jihad Daneshgahi, Magiran, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer, and Google Scholar. Indexed articles from 2009 to 2025 (1395 to 1404 SH) were reviewed. The findings showed that many cinematic works, by accurately portraying behavioral, emotional, and cognitive traits of characters with personality disorders, provide an effective platform for indirect education in psychopathology. Such portrayals not only enhance psychological awareness among audiences but also contribute to the advancement of interdisciplinary approaches and foster deeper scientific interaction between the fields of psychology and cinema studies.

Abstract Strategic board games can be considered as text and cultural media in which the elements, narrative, characters, and images of the game play an active role in understanding and experiencing the game, creating an overall picture of the game. This research aims to investigate the methods of representing identity and its dimensions in four strategic board games (Moukebdar, Munahhemana, Satrapan, and 7 Wonders).

The research method is qualitative and based on cultural semiotic analysis, and data were collected through textual studies and purposive sampling. In this study, the techniques of syntagmatic and paradigmatic analysis were used to discover the explicit and implicit connotations of the games.

The findings show that religious, gender, ethnic, historical, and class identities are represented in various ways in these games, and in each game, one or more identity components are central. Accordingly, the research results indicate that strategic board games, as cultural texts, utilize narrative, symbolism, and interactive mechanisms to provide a platform for representing and rethinking various dimensions of religious, cultural, historical, and professional identity. In each game, a specific type of identity is highlighted in relation to values.

Abstract With the rapid growth of the video game industry and live-streaming platforms، game streaming has emerged as a new form of digital communication and cultural expression. This qualitative research explores the lived experiences of Iranian game streamers using descriptive phenomenology. The participants were six professional streamers active on platforms such as Twitch، YouTube، and Aparat، each with diverse backgrounds and streaming styles. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method. Findings reveal that streamers perceive game streaming as a creative lifestyle and space for self-expression. Five main themes emerged: (1) critical assessment of domestic platforms and digital divide، (2) identity and representation in digital space، (3) human connection and emotional bonds، (4) creativity and media performance challenges، and (5) streamer lifestyle. The study demonstrates game streaming as an emerging cultural-media ecosystem in Iran، where streamers navigate technical limitations، cultural sensitivities، and gender dynamics while constructing professional identities. This research contributes to understanding game streaming within Iran's unique sociocultural context، bridging gaps between global and local studies while offering insights into platform dynamics، gender issues، and cultural agency in digital spaces.

Abstract Documentary photography, with the implication of being there, is one of the main branches of photography that records and represents various objects, events, and scenes in the world around us. The purpose of the research is to study the role of documentary photography in the representation of culture with an ethnographic approach in Iran, and it answers the question of how documentary photography can represent culture with an ethnographic approach. The research methodology is qualitative with an interpretive ethnographic approach to description-analysis, documentary photography in the representation of culture in Iran. The type of qualitative data in the research includes images (photos). The method of purposive sampling is mixed and the research population includes Iranian documentary photographers. From the 30 selected photos, 6 photos that were most consistent with the research criteria were selected. Qualitative data analysis was carried out by Thematic content analysis using MAXQDA software, and as a result, documentary photographers in Iran have explained, described, and represented culture in three ways: realistic description, confessional description, and impressionistic description.

Abstract This paper explores the linguistic aspects of the animation "Ron's Gone Wrong" (2021), examining the contrast between algorithmic and human communication in the digital age. The primary aim is to analyze the critical functions of the "imperfect" language used by the faulty robot, Ron, to reveal the limitations of rule-based communication systems and the nature of social identity. Using a qualitative, descriptive-analytical approach, the study analyzes key dialogues and scenes within the framework of pragmatics (particularly Grice’s Cooperative Principles and Speech Act Theory) and sociolinguistics. The analysis demonstrates that Ron consistently violates Grice’s Maxims-Quantity, Quality, Relevance, and Manner-and experiences a persistent inability to grasp the performative and conversational power of language. These linguistic shortcomings, initially sources of comedy and social isolation, gradually evolve into a form of "anti-language" that fosters the development of an alternative identity and authentic social relationships. Conversely, the flawless and standardized language of other "B-bots" symbolizes superficial communication and homogeneous identities within social media networks. This contrast suggests that failure to adhere to pragmatic principles can paradoxically lead to deeper and more meaningful connections. The findings indicate that through depicting communication breakdowns, this animation argues that genuine human interaction is inherently "chaotic" and imperfect.

Abstract . Cognitive biases can lead to misinterpretation of information, flawed analyses, and ultimately detrimental financial choices. The present study aims to identify and analyze these biases in the Iranian stock market, employing machine learning algorithms to model investor behavior. Data related to 10 selected stocks from the Iranian market were collected over a specified time period, preprocessed, and prepared for training machine learning models. In this research, two algorithms—logistic regression and random forest—were applied for performance comparison. The results indicated that the random forest model, with an accuracy of 97%, significantly outperformed the logistic regression model, which achieved 71% accuracy. These findings demonstrate the higher effectiveness of more sophisticated algorithms in understanding and analyzing investors’ irrational behaviors. The study was conducted without any bias in model selection, and all results are presented transparently and reproducibly. The primary objective is to enhance rational decision-making in the capital market through data-driven analysis and artificial intelligence tools. Finally, we demonstrate that each identified cognitive bias manifests in specific behavioral patterns in the Iranian financial market, influenced by the cultural roots of the population.

Abstract In recent decades, television in Iran, as a pervasive medium, has played a fundamental role in shaping public culture and artistic taste. Television literary programs, especially those dedicated to Persian poetry, can promote or transform contemporary poetic trends. The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of the television program "Land of Poetry" in promoting or changing contemporary poetic styles, relying on the reception theory. This research was conducted with a qualitative approach and within the framework of the reception theory. Data were collected through content analysis of the program and in-depth interviews with a group of audiences. In the content analysis, the structure, language, poetic style, judging method, and visual and musical representation of the program were examined. Interviews were also conducted to assess the audience’s decoding and the impact of the program on their poetic taste. The results showed that the television program “Land of Poetry” encoded meaning in its various layers through the selection of poets, the competitive structure, the tone of judgment, and visual cues, and as a result, created a kind of legitimate taste in the field of contemporary poetry.

Abstract In the digital age, sports celebrities construct complex and multifaceted identities on social media platforms that extend beyond athletic performance. This study presents a meta-synthesis of qualitative research exploring how sports celebrities actively build and manage their digital identities in online environments. Through synthesizing findings related to self-presentation, personal branding, and audience engagement, five core themes emerge: authentic and multilayered identities; lived digital identity; heroic branding; transitional athletic individuality; and meaningful social personas reflecting cultural alignment, activism, and moral symbolism. These themes reveal the evolving, strategic, and culturally embedded nature of digital identity work among sports celebrities. The study proposes a comprehensive conceptual model that expands understanding of identity construction within mediated sporting contexts, offering practical implications for sports communication, athlete branding, and digital culture analysis. This conceptual model also provides a foundation for future research in digital identity and sports communication

Abstract This study aims to identify the capacities of social media for marketing high-budget (“A-special”) TV series produced by IRIB. It is applied in purpose and exploratory in nature. Drawing on the marketing mix and viral marketing frameworks, adapted to social media and media products, the study investigates this field. Data were collected through 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews with producers and crew, IRIB managers, and marketing and digital media experts using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis with open, axial, and selective coding. Findings fall into seven themes: content, production, platform, promotional-interactive, economic, organizational, and international capacities. Results show that aligning subject, genre, and characters with contemporary audience lifestyles and social media logic enables organic creation of teasers, clips, and discussions. Large-scale production can support branding if well planned; however, lack of platform strategies, 360-degree campaigns, balanced budgeting, and structural barriers limit these capacities. Overall, the findings confirm and localize marketing mix and viral marketing frameworks and highlight the need to shift from one-dimensional advertising to an ecosystem-based, interactive, data-driven approach.

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to explain the process of filter bubble formation in users' encounters with political news on the Instagram platform, focusing on the dynamic interaction between the user, the algorithm, and the social network.

Method: The study was conducted using a qualitative method with a Grounded Theory approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 users and 6 experts, non-participant observation of profiles, and document analysis (comments). The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding in MAXQDA software until theoretical saturation was achieved.

Findings: The findings led to the development of a "Tripartite Interaction Paradigmatic Model." This model demonstrates that the filter bubble forms through a reinforcing cycle resulting from the user's purposeful action (searching, following, and interacting), algorithmic reinforcement (suggestions, prioritization, and filtering), and the facilitating role of the social network (sharing and like-minded groups). The ultimate consequence of this process is the deepening of informational isolation, the reinforcement of confirmation bias, and the intensification of political polarization.

Conclusion: The r esults indicate that addressing the challenge of filter bubbles requires simultaneous intervention at three levels: "enhancing users' media literacy," "ensuring algorithmic transparency," and "considering the context of social networks."

Abstract This paper explains the effects of political economy shocks, including international sanctions, on the Iranian middle class, and shows that these pressures lead to the erosion of cultural capital, the weakening of social roles, and changes in media consumption of this class. The argument begins with formulating the research problem in terms of the link between economic crises, and the transformation of the middle class’s position.

Theoretically, the paper draws on the perspectives of Marx, Weber, Bourdieu, and Halbwachs on class, cultural capital, social status, and collective memory, but relies on the interpretive framework of Weber and Bourdieu.

We argue that when livelihood pressures intensify, a part of the middle class is forced to reduce cultural consumption, and prioritize immediate livelihoods. In such a situation, the media also find a dual function for this class: on the one hand, they become a tool for raising awareness, maintaining social ties, representing dissatisfaction, and transmitting lived experiences, and on the other hand, in times of crisis, they can become a space for anxiety, despair, polarization, and erosion of social trust. The results show that supporting the middle class is necessary for achieving sustainable economic, social, and political development in Iran.